Análisis de Contaminantes en la Cuenca del Río Aconcagua en Chile. Evaluación de Riesgo Humano y Ambiental.

This paper presents a study and analysis of air pollutants in an area of permanent industrial and agricultural development in Chile. The study considers the watershed of the Aconcagua river including several cities of the provinces of Valparaiso, Quillota, San Felipe and Marga Marga. The information obtained from monitoring networks of air quality that are regulated by the Chilean health and environmental authorities, during the period 1998 to 2008, was used to develop a qualitative method to assess the risk of contamination to human health and vegetation. The method showed areas of high risk to vegetation and human life and other areas that should be declared as saturated zones. It was also demonstrated that it is necessary to establish primary and secondary standards, particularly for some trace elements considering the importance of the area as an exporter of agricultural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]