Abstract

RUBIO-ARIAS, Héctor Osbaldo et al. Recreational Water Quality Index (RWQI) for Colina Lake in Chihuahua, Mexico. Acta univ [online]. 2016, vol.26, n.3, pp.14-22. ISSN 2007-9621.  https://doi.org/10.15174/au.2016.901.

Recreational water use provides important benefits for human health; nevertheless, there can be adverse effects if the water is polluted. Aim of this work was to develop a Recreational Water Quality Index (RWQI) for Colina Lake in Mexico. Water samples were collected from March 2011 to February 2012 at seven random locations and at three depths (0.30 m, 1.0 m and 2.0 m). Parameters analyzed were pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature (T), turbidity, total hardness (TH) chlorides (Cl-) and total (TC) and fecal coliforms (FC). Statistical analyses were made considering a 12 × 3 factorial arrangement design while the RWQI was calculated for the 0.30 m depth. In general, results for parameters did not differ according to sampling depth or the interaction, but there were statistical differences according to sampling month. The RWQI indicates that water quality is generally adequate for recreational purposes.

Keywords : Chihuahua; coliforms; Mexico; recreation areas; quality index.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in English     · English ( pdf )