Proposal for a water quality index for the venezuelan Amazon

Abstract

Conceptualization of a water quality index for the Venezuelan Amazon is presented, based on expert judgment, documentary research, and consultations with artificial intelligence. The index includes 15 parameters. For each selected parameter, a correspondence was established between a qualitative rating (excellent, good, fair, and deficient) and the corresponding ranges of parameter values. A weighting was also defined for each parameter, representing its importance in defining water quality. This was done to find a balance between the anthropocentric and ecocentric approaches to water quality, a necessary equilibrium to achieve an approach that satisfies both ecosystemic requirements and the water uses needed by society. The proposed model is based on a weighted average of the developed transformation function value and its established weighting value for each parameter. Among the final conclusions and recommendations, we highlight the need to include in the proposed ICA water quality parameters representative of anthropogenic activities specific to the area and to study the masking effect caused by dilution produced by the large flows of the rivers of the Venezuelan Amazon.