EVALUATION OF WATER QUALITY OF THE LAGOON BUSTILLOS, CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO

Water is found in nature in various forms and characteristics, and each has its function within the larger ecosystem of planet Earth through a natural process called the hydrologic cycle. Contaminants are the major cause of the degradation of the quality of water in the world. The study was conducted in the Laguna de Bustillos, which is located at coordinates 28 ° 28 'to 28 ° 42' north latitude and 106 ° 35 'to 106 ° 55' W longitude with an altitude of 2,000 m. The Laguna de Bustillos is a green icon in the state of Chihuahua. This natural lake has been an ecological haven for many wildlife species, and food provider to the established residents along the shore and surrounding areas. However, it is clear water pollution due to 3 factors. The first is the pulp industry in the community Anahuac near the lagoon which traditionally poured its sewage in the lagoon. The second is from the Mennonite colonies settled in the western side of the pond where runoffs from heavily fertilized fields are channeled to the lagoon. The third factor is the city of Cuauhtemoc with about 300,000 inhabitants, which normally discharges its waste water into the lagoon. The aim of this study is to evaluate the water quality of Laguna de Bustillos in terms of the following parameters of heavy metals and metalloids; Al, As, B, Cd, Pb, Se, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Si and Zn. 28 water samples were taken randomly which were analyzed in the laboratory. ANOVA statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test to determine statistically significant differences between areas. It can be concluded according to ecological criteria and water quality mexican standards that water of Laguna de Bustillos is contaminated by the parameters of Total Alkalinity, Aluminum and Iron, and the recommendation of ecological restoration, which involves participation of institutions and surrounding communities for the ecological problem.