PERSONAL DE APOYO
FABIANI Ana Cecilia
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Assessment of water quality in a pampean wetland by using epipelic diatoms
Autor/es:
FABIANI, A. C.; ESQUIUS, K. S.; ESCALANTE, A. H.
Lugar:
La Plata
Reunión:
Congreso; VI Congreso Argentino de Limnología; 2014
Institución organizadora:
Instituto de Limnología Dr. A. Ringuelet y la Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo (UNLP)
Resumen:
The Pampa plain
waterbodies undergo the impact of different human activities (agriculture, livestock,
industries) that deteriorate their water quality. Diatoms constitute the most
used group for the evaluation of these ecosystem environmental conditions, as
they noticeably respond to physical, chemical and biological changes that take
place therein. The aim of the present study was to evaluate Los Padres Lake water quality by means of epipelic
diatoms. This wetland is located in one of the most important zone of
fruit-horticultural production in Buenos AiresProvince, and is a Mar del Plata city key natural area, from
touristic and recreational points of view. Two sites from Los Padres Lake were chosen for seasonal samplings:
La Isla Club
and La Tapera
stream, where nautical, commercial, and camping activities are developed. In
each sampling occasion the main physical and chemical parameters were in situ estimated, and sediment and
water samples were collected for epipelic community analysis, and for
phytoplankton chlorophyll a, and
biological oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, main ions, and nutrients determinations,
respectively. Epipelon community analysis was focused on diatom qualitative and
quantitative study, to be used subsequently for the Pampean Diatom Index (IDP)
calculation. Diatoms constituted the most diverse and abundant group at both
sites, representing more than 70% of the community composition. As IDP
concerns, significant seasonal differences between sampling sites, except in
spring, were registered. Values of this index in La Isla Club ranged from
1.41 to 1.67, while in La
Tapera stream ranged from 1.71 to 2.11. According to this
biotic characterization, La
Isla Club showed good water quality, except in spring. La Tapera stream waters were
acceptable (except in summer), and with a moderate organic pollution and
eutrophication level. This agrees with a previous study carried out at the same
stream, but applying the IDP to periphyton diatoms. Contrarily, La Isla Club, that
undergoes a greater human impact, showed a better water quality during the
whole annual cycle.