Study of the impacts of Land Use-Land Cover on surface water quality based on field data and satellite information

The availability of water is one of the fundamental keys for the sustainable development of society. However, the quality of water resources is declining and deteriorating, being considered one of the main threats to public health worldwide. The objective of this study is to evaluate the spatial distribution of water quality variables measured in the Suquía River (Argentina) and to characterize the relationship between the water quality and land use, land cover (LULC) pattern at a basin scale. Water quality samples, obtained for the period 2006-2019, were used for statistical analysis and to develop a surface water quality index (WQI). Results show that sampling sites were grouped in five clusters. Clusters located in the upper watershed, where natural forest is dominant showed the highest WQI values. The lowest WQI values were observed in the clusters located in the middle watershed, associated with the presence of the sewage treatment plant of Córdoba city and mixed land uses and cover. Finally, intermediate values of the WQI were observed in the clusters located in the middle and lower basin linked to urban and agricultural land use.