Environmental study in the San Juan river basin of Santiago de Cuba

Abstract

The present project an assessment of the level of contamination that exists in the watershed of the Santiago de Cuba’s San Juan river, through physical, chemical and microbiological indicators, assessing the magnitude of the impact on current conditions, with the purpose of evaluating the degree of contamination that presents this watershed, considered the most important in the municipality. We used the methods of chemical analysis for the experimental measurements, considering Cuban standards that establish the maximum limits that must contain the water after pouring water waste, to consider them as drinking water or if appropriate to carry out activities such as swimming and fishing. The study corresponds the period of January to July 2016, selected 22 sampling points throughout the San Juan river, taking into account the points of interest and contributions of pollutants through rivers, streams and ditches. The results show a progressive environmental deterioration along the watershed, existing sample points that are valued as critical by significantly higher values for some indicators, which support the conclusion that the waters of the San Juan River are classified from the point of view ecological and extremely polluted, and there are places that are not suitable for recreational activities (bathroom) or for other like fishing.