EVALUATION OF WATER QUALITY IN THE LUIS EBEL URBAN WETLAND THROUGH PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETER MONITORING

The study was conducted in the Luis Ebel urban wetland, located in Puerto Montt, Chile, and assessed water quality by monitoring key physicochemical parameters, following environmental regulations. This ecosystem, of significant ecological importance, faces pressures from human activities, highlighting the need for conservation and sustainable management strategies. In situ measurements were carried out for parameters such as dissolved oxygen, pH, and electrical conductivity, complemented by laboratory analyses to determine phosphorus, nitrates, nitrites, and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). The research proposed a Water Quality Index (WQI), which classifies parameters into two groups: general parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and COD), which provide basic information about water quality and are regularly monitored by Chile's General Water Directorate (DGA), and complementary parameters (nitrates, nitrites, and phosphorus) associated with the eutrophication process. The results indicated that water quality ranges between "regular" and "good" according to the proposed WQI. Elevated phosphorus concentrations in some areas, likely from anthropogenic sources, were noted, while indicators such as dissolved oxygen and electrical conductivity reflected favorable conditions. This study highlights the usefulness of the WQI as a tool to synthesize water quality information and facilitate continuous monitoring. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of implementing adaptive management strategies to reduce pollution sources and protect the wetland’s biodiversity.