Year: 2025 | Month: July | Volume: 12 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 160-173
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20250717
Water Quality Assessment of Calderas Lagoon: Statistical Indicators for Sustainability and Volcanic Lake Monitoring
Dennis Argueta1, José Argueta2, Mayra Castillo3, Alfredo Gálvez4
1Unidad de Investigación e Innovación de la Escuela de Estudios de Postgrado de la Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala, Guatemala.
Corresponding Author: Dennis Argueta
ABSTRACT
An assessment was conducted to evaluate the physicochemical quality of water in Laguna de Calderas, prompted by the need to understand its environmental condition in the context of recreational and agricultural pressures. Key water quality parameters including pH, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids were measured through in situ sampling at 17 georeferenced points. The analysis incorporated descriptive statistics, box plots, histograms, and scatter plots to identify patterns, variability, and outliers. Results indicated a slightly alkaline environment, with an average pH of 8.28 and moderate conductivity levels averaging 0.3415 mS/cm, reflecting a balance between natural conditions and human influence. Variability in total dissolved solids highlighted the dynamic interaction between surrounding land use and water chemistry. Spatial trends and statistical descriptors such as skewness and kurtosis revealed localized anomalies likely linked to runoff, evaporation, or site-specific disturbances. The findings offer a technical foundation for continuous environmental monitoring and support the development of sustainable water resource management practices. Outcomes are relevant for environmental agencies, land use planners, local communities, and researchers working to safeguard the ecological integrity of the lagoon.
Keywords: Alkalinity, Conductivity, Environmental Management, Water Resources, Sustainability.
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