Organic Pollutants in the Suquía River Basin

Abstract

It has been observed that the presence of these pollutants is closely related to the anthropic activity carried out at the basin. The upper basin shows presence of cyanotoxins due to urban and touristic activities. The city of Córdoba is the main source of organic pollutants throughout the Suquía Basin. Downstream from the city, the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) releases the highest amount and variety of organic pollutants, which are associated with human activities. Downstream from the WWTP, the riverbank is dominated by farms with diverse agricultural practices, and several agrochemicals, like glyphosate, AMPA, or chlorinated pesticides, were detected. Some of these pollutants are retained in the sediment or transported until reaching the river mouth at the Mar Chiquita Lake. Exposure to these pollutants, whether by drinking or ingesting them, represents a health risk to aquatic organisms, wild life, domestic animals, and humans.