Article

Sanitary and Agronomic Significance of the Trophic Levels of Two Reservoirs from Cordoba (Argentina)

Abstract

Algal blooms occur when starts the multiplication and accumulation of microalgae that live freely in aquatic systems, causing a significant increase in the biomass of one or a few species, in very short periods of time. When it comes to Cyanobacteria, it is common for them to produce toxins, which are highly risky when reservoirs are used as reservoirs. This problem has been aggravated with the passage of time, since in general for several decades concrete and effective measures have not been taken to prevent it. The situation is particularly serious when lakes are used as water reservoirs for purification, since in many cases the health of the population they supply is compromised by the effect of cyanotoxins. In this research, a data update was made based on the monitoring of the San Roque and La Quebrada Reservoirs, considering results of samplings carried out between 2019 and 2020 together with previous information. The results showed that the biomass of cyanobacteria rises in the warm months due to the massive influx of nutrients as a result of the discharge into the water body of sewage tributaries with little or no treatment. It is suggested the manufacture of sewage treatment plants in the basins of both reservoirs, and also to apply aeration systems such as those installed in the San Roque Reservoir as a temporary palliative.

Keywords: Cyanobacteria, Blooms, Reservoirs, San Roque, La Quebrada.