Identificación y selección de tratamientos potenciales para aguas de escorrentía agrícola en cuencas Andinas de la hoya de Loja

Abstract

Abstract:Andean watersheds are an important source of sustenance for regional biodiversity and provide good quality water to important cities and agricultural lands that settle in the Andes and in the lower parts of the Amazon basin. Despite this, the Andes are considered one of the most threatened places in the world due to anthropic impacts. Agriculture generates diffuse pollution because the runoff water transports nutrients and pesticides, and produce the alteration of environmental conditions. Therefore, the following systematic review provides an overview of the practices used in the conservation and improvement of water quality in agricultural watersheds. Two main groups of treatments were found: barriers and filters. The barriers cause sedimentation of pollutants and filters their retention. Most treatments focus on eliminating nutrients and pesticides (e.g., P, N and neonicotinoids) used in agriculture that cause the contamination of bodies of water.