Abstract

MOLINA-CARVAJAL, Leidys Jhoana; ESTHER RIVERA, María; DELGADO-RODRIGUEZ, Jesús Ramón  and  CAJIAO-PEDRAZA, Ángela Maritza. Thermal water quality in the Bochalema and Chinácota municipalities, Colombia. Bol. geol. [online]. 2023, vol.45, n.2, pp.65-77.  Epub June 15, 2023. ISSN 0120-0283.  https://doi.org/10.18273/revbol.v45n2-2023004.

Thermal waters are resources that allow the generating of tourism development scenarios, research, and exploitation projects, formulate and implement regulations. It is necessary to know the information regarding the composition, conditioning factors and their relationships in the hot springs of the municipalities of Bochalema and Chinácota, to generate knowledge and provide tools for the improvement of sanitary conditions and environmental management. For this reason, this research aims to carry out the thermal source’s studies identified in the municipalities through of the physicochemical, microbiological and macroinvertebrate analysis. As methodology, samples were obtained and physicochemical tests were carried out to determine composition, alkalinity, and hardness, which were analyzed in Schoeller, Piper and Stiff diagrams. Microbiological and macroinvertebrate components were also analyzed to classify water quality using the Readycult 100 test and nutritive and selective microbiological media and the IBMWP/Col index for macroinvertebrates. As a result, it was obtained that the hot springs have carbonated composition and a low presence of iron; the Piper and Stiff diagram confirm the presence of sodic and carbonates, which is associated with the flow of water through evaporitics and carbonate rocks of the Tibú Mercedes, Cogollo, Capacho and Luna formations; The hardness of the waters is related to the presence of sodic and carbonates. Microbiological analyzes show the presence of the bacteria Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, Salmonella spp at concentrations of 110 bacteria/mL. Indicative of contamination by contributions of organic matter. Likewise, when applying the IBMWP/Col index, it is determined that the thermal waters of are low quality for the R1 source in the Raizón and in Los Termales C1 and high in Raizón R2 and Los Termales C2.

Keywords : Underground water; Thermal water; Hydrogeology; Aquatic environment; Microorganisms..

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