Integral assessment of pollution in the Suquía River (Córdoba, Argentina) as a contribution to lotic ecosystem restoration programs

C. MERLO; A. ABRIL; M.V. AMÉ; G.A. ARGÜELLO; M.S. CHIAPPERO; L.N. GALANTI; M.V. MONFERRÁN; V.M. SOLÍS; H.A. CARRERAS; A.C. HUED; E. WANNAZ; C.M. GONZÁLEZ

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2011 vol. 409 p. 5034 - 5045

0048-9697

The Suquía River lower–middle basin (Córdoba, Argentina) is subject to a strong anthropic impact because itreceives pollutants from different sources (industries, wastewaters, heavy traffic, agricultural land use, etc.)We have assessed the degree of watershed degradation of Suquía River lower–middle sections through theanalysis of different ecosystem compartments (air, water, riparian soil, sediments and biota), in order to provideuseful data to be considered in future river restoration programs. Four study sites were selected alongthe river (La Calera city, Córdoba city, Corazón de María village and Río Primero city) which were sampledduring the low- and high-water flow periods. We analyzed: a) chemical and physical characteristics ofwater, sediments, and riparian soil; b) heavy metal content of water and sediments, and c) semi-volatile organiccompounds in air. Besides, pollutant bioindicators such as fish assemblages, lichens (Usnea amblyoclada),vascular plants (Tradescantia pallida), and microorganisms (fecal coliform and Escherichia coli) wereused to further assess the status of the river. All analyzed ecological compartments were affected by waterpollution, particularly, fish assemblages, sediments and riparian soils by heavy metal and coliform bacteria.Moreover, we detected a possible contribution of sulfur and a high pollutant content in air that merit furtherresearch about other air–water exchanges. Accordingly, we strongly suggest that an action to restore or remediatethe anthropic effect on the Suquía River be extended to all possible compartments along the river.