Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the water quality in the Amuyo Lagoons, Arica & Parinacota Region, Chile. 19 variables were monitored bi-monthly over the period of 12 months by monitoring standardized in situ and laboratory analysis, compared to Chilean regulations. One of the main characteristics of the waters in the Red, Yellow and Green Lagoons is having high total Arsenic content, above 10 mg L-1, which is more likely related to naturally occurring biogeochemical processes associated with the activity of volcanoes. The Wilcox diagram was classified that these waters as C4-S4 indicating high salinity and sodium absorption rate and advises against their use in irrigation. The Stiff and Piper diagram shown an important analogy between the three lagoons, although the HAC analysis demonstrates a greater similarity between the characteristics of the Red and Yellow Lagoon with the Green Lagoon showed some differences. In the PCA analysis, the concentrations of yellow and green lagoons were indicated the following arsenic parameter (13.65 mg L-1 and 15.77 mg L-1, respectively). Although, for the red lagoon concentration is high (18.91 mg L-1). Nevertheless, the untreated water is not suitable for drinking and agriculture purpose. In our knowledge, this is first time we reported that the water characteristics in the area of the Amuyo Lagoons in Chile.