Physicochemical conditions of the water in lagoons derived from mechanized mining activity in different periods of abandonment in the municipality of Cértegui, Chocó, Colombia

Abstract

A physicochemical evaluation of the water in lagoons derived from mechanized mining activity was carried out in different periods of abandonment, in four sampling scenarios, selected according to the time of abandonment of the mining activity from one to three years to 20 years of cessation of the mining, integrated samples were taken for the in situ analysis of physicochemical variables, as well as a statistical analysis of the data. The variables that determine the subsistence of the biota, such as dissolved oxygen and temperature, presented coefficients of variation lower than 8%, showing homogenization in the data, while the variables associated with the contribution of solids such as turbidity, suspended solids, conductivity and Dissolved solids presented coefficients of variation between 20.2% and 167.6%, as well as nitrogenous compounds such as nitrites. In conclusion, it was observed how the alterations suffered by the substrate in different periods of time markedly determine the chemical compo- sition of the lagoons, where the concentrations of dissolved and suspended material, as well as the nutrients, are the ones that most affect the dynamics in this water systems.