Trophic state of Lake Nahuel Huapi

ALCALDE, R.; PEDROZO, F.; MANUEL, M.; GIL, M.; BAFFICO, G.

San Martín de los Andes, Argentina

Conferencia; 7º Conferencia Internacional sobre Conservación y Gestión de Lagos; 1997

The quality of the water of Lake Nahuel Huapi with relation to its different uses within the coastal area, as well as its present and future trophic state, are currently being evaluated through a joint Program between the Departamento Provincial de Aguas of Río Negro and the Centro Regional Unviersitario Bariloche, Universidad Nacional del Comahue (CRUB-UNC). Specific sources of nutrients were analyzed during the first stage, as well as the parameters wich indicate the lake's trophic state. Results indicate that Lake Nahuel Huapi is ultraoligotrophic-oligotrophic. A duplication of the concentration of the chlorophyll a is expected for the year 2024, even when the nutrient loads originated from the sewer system were not reduced, although its trophic state would be unaltered. The Program included an evaluation of the water quality with relation to the uses to wich its submitted within the coastal area, and it has been found that the said water maintains its aptness for such uses.