Diagnóstico preeliminar ambiental de playas de Cartagena de Indias, Caribe colombiano

The establishment of an early warning system for pollution on beaches has a very important effect on the protection of the quality of beaches. This study evaluated the environmental quality of beaches in the tourist sector of Cartagena de Indias by characterizing “in situ” physico-chemical parameters (temperature, pH, salinity, conductivity and dissolved oxygen) and "Ex situ" (nitrites, nitrates , Phosphates, total solids, BOD, total coliforms, fecal, heavy metals and total hydrocarbons) and of indicator bacteria, an environmental quality index (ICAM ) was calculated to identify critical PPF points and the most vulnerable areas of beaches. The results of this study contribute to the evaluation of the environmental quality of the beaches of Cartagena de Indias, contributing bases and recommendations leading to the integral management of these strategic ecosystems.