Abstract

BETANCOURT, Carmen  and  SUAREZ, Roberto. Influence of autochthonous and allochthonous processes on the physicochemical features of the Paso Bonito reservoir. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2010, vol.26, n.4, pp.257-267. ISSN 0188-4999.

This research was aimed at determining the characteristics and processes relating with the water quality of Paso Bonito reservoir, which constitutes the water supply of Cienfuegos and Santa Clara cities. The major ions were analyzed by means of monthly measures recorded from 1986 to 2005. The water characteristics and the correlation among variables, which were weak and did not allowed applying data reduction, were also determined. The sources of supply were evaluated using ternary and Gibbs diagrams, as well as the ionic relationships. The water was non-saline, hard, with prevalence of calcium and bicarbonate ions. The chemical quality of the water was in correspondence with the basin geology and dominated by rock weathering. It did not show any significant difference between the dry and humid periods and any seasonal variation. The relationships among a group of variables during 2006 and 2007 were evaluated applying correlations between them as well as principal component analyses. The database included pH, dissolved oxygen, redox potential, temperature, nutrients, iron and manganese. According to the results, the quality of the water was influenced by autochthonous processes, which are related to stratification and mixtures of the reservoir, allochthonous processes related to the pollution in the basin, and thermal changes in the reservoir.

Keywords : reservoir; major ions; weathering; rock; variables.