Evaluación de la calidad microbiológica de agua y suelo que presenta el "Estero Las Toscas", región de Ñuble, Chile
Loading...
Date
2025
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universidad de Concepción
Abstract
Este estudio evaluó la calidad microbiológica del agua y suelo en el estero “Las Toscas”, Región Ñuble, Chillán, mediante indicadores de contaminación fecal: coliformes totales, coliformes fecales y Escherichia coli. Utilizando el método del número más probable (NMP), se identificaron variaciones estacionales significativas durante verano, otoño e invierno de 2024.
En verano, los niveles elevados de coliformes fecales (280 NMP/100 mL) y E. coli (hasta 130 NMP/100 mL) se relacionaron con mayor actividad humana y escorrentías urbanas y agrícolas. Otoño mostró fluctuaciones; abril presentó valores mínimos (45 y 13 NMP/100 mL para coliformes fecales y E. coli), mientras que mayo exhibió picos debido a lluvias intensas. En invierno, las lluvias aumentaron la carga microbiológica, alcanzando 920 NMP/100 mL de E. coli en agosto, con variaciones semanales significativas.
Aunque el agua cumple con estándares para riego agrícola (NCh 1333), en varios casos no es apta para actividades recreativas (NCh 1333). Este trabajo subraya la necesidad de monitoreo continuo y estrategias de mitigación, para mejorar la calidad microbiológica del estero y proteger la salud pública y los ecosistemas.
His study evaluated the microbiological quality of water and soil in the “Las Toscas” estuary, Ñuble Region, Chillán, using fecal contamination ndicators: total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli. Using the most probable number (MPN) method, significant seasonal variations were identified during summer, fall, and winter of 2024. In summer, elevated levels of fecal coliforms (280 MPN/100 mL) and E. coli (up to 130 MPN/100 mL) were associated with increased human activity and urban and agricultural runoff. Fall showed fluctuations; April had minimum values (45 and 13 MPN/100 mL for fecal coliforms and E. coli), while May exhibited peaks due to heavy rains. In winter, rainfall increased the microbiological load, reaching 920 NMP/100 mL of E. coli in August, with significant weekly variations. Although the water meets agricultural irrigation standards (NCh 1333), in many cases it is not suitable for recreational activities (NCh 1333). This work highlights the need for continued monitoring and mitigation strategies to improve the microbiological quality of the estuary and protect public health and ecosystems.
His study evaluated the microbiological quality of water and soil in the “Las Toscas” estuary, Ñuble Region, Chillán, using fecal contamination ndicators: total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli. Using the most probable number (MPN) method, significant seasonal variations were identified during summer, fall, and winter of 2024. In summer, elevated levels of fecal coliforms (280 MPN/100 mL) and E. coli (up to 130 MPN/100 mL) were associated with increased human activity and urban and agricultural runoff. Fall showed fluctuations; April had minimum values (45 and 13 MPN/100 mL for fecal coliforms and E. coli), while May exhibited peaks due to heavy rains. In winter, rainfall increased the microbiological load, reaching 920 NMP/100 mL of E. coli in August, with significant weekly variations. Although the water meets agricultural irrigation standards (NCh 1333), in many cases it is not suitable for recreational activities (NCh 1333). This work highlights the need for continued monitoring and mitigation strategies to improve the microbiological quality of the estuary and protect public health and ecosystems.
Description
Tesis presentada para optar al título de Ingeniero Ambiental
Keywords
Calidad del Agua -- Chile, Coliformes fecales