Environmental evaluation of the water quality in pools formed by non-metallic mining extraction works, Madre de Dios

Abstract

The objective of the research was to evaluate the quality of the water in three artificial pools that were formed by extraction of non-metallic mining. It was characterized as an area of ​​low terraces, fluvisol-gleysol type soils, warm climate with abundant rain. As results, we determined the physicochemical, bacteriological and benthic bioindicator parameters, in the evaluation of total coliforms only the Topa pond (3500 NMP/100 ml) exceeds the ECAs environmental quality standards. The physicochemical parameters and the concentration levels of metals in the sediments of the water bodies do not exceed the ECAs quality standards for category 4 jungle river water and ECAs for agricultural land; the study of benthic macroinvertebrates showed that the Topa pool has a highly polluted water BMWP value, followed by the Lagarto and Pato pools on the highly polluted scale; the evaluation of richness in ichthyofauna of the study pools resulted in the predominance of the orders of Chariciformes, Siluriformes and Percyformes. The study concludes that the pools are not recommended for recreation.