Estudio de vulnerabilidad a la contaminación de aguas subterráneas por nitratos en la microcuenca del río Tahuando, Ibarra-Ecuador, utilizando las metodologías GOD Y DRASTIC

Abstract

Abstract: The contamination of aquifers by compounds that exceed the maximum permissible limit established in the Ecuadorian Standard, in this case nitrates, represents a great concern since it affects the quality of the water that serves as a source of supply for human consumption, in addition to its recovery is expensive and sometimes irrecoverable. This is the main reason why an assessment was carried out to determine the vulnerability to aquifer contamination using the GOD and DRASTIC methodologies in the Tahuando river basin.As a result, a zoning map of areas vulnerable to nitrate contamination was obtained, giving vulnerability assessments according to the established range. Of the seven wells, three of them do not meet the limits suitable for consumption and only require disinfection. On the other hand, the Santa Clara well does not comply with thelimits and requires conventional treatment, although it shows anomalous values in relation to the other wells, it does not become unfit for human consumption.