Abstract

PITTALUGA, María Alejandra  and  SUVIRES, Graciela Mabel. Chemical composition and water quality of the Castaño river, Calingasta, San Juan province, Argentina. Multequina [online]. 2006, vol.15, n.1, pp.17-26. ISSN 1852-7329.

The province of San Juan, in arid centralwest Argentina, is irrigated by two fluvial systems: the Jachal and San Juan River basins. The Castaño River is one of the two main tributaries to the latter. It crosses the Castaño Viejo mining district, which was a producer of lead, zinc and copper. To investigate the water quality and the possible hydrochemical variations given rise by the mining activity, a sampling net was devised along the river course for determining concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, carbonates, bicarbonates, sulphates, cadmium, copper, chrome, lead, zinc, aluminium, pH, dissolved solids and electric conductivity. The results obtained indicate that some chemical parameter of the river water vary in the different seasons of the year. The salinity, dissolved oxygen and biochemical demand of oxygen were found to be low, no toxic substances were detected in significant amounts, and the water quality has not been affected by the mining activity.

Keywords : Water quality; Heavy elements; Centre West Argentina.

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