CARACTERIZACIÓN AMBIENTAL DE LA ENSENADA DE PLAYA GRANDE, ESTADO SUCRE, VENEZUELA

The hydrographic conditions and sanitary quality of the waters of the coastal region of Playa Grande Bay
were studied during May 2003. We set up 21 stations to collect surface and bottom samples and three current meters – an
upward-mounted hydroacoustic profiler and two single-point Doppler current sensors that operated for 14 days. Samples were
collected in 5-L Niskin bottles equipped with a lid-closing device operated through a cable. The samples were studied according
to established methods for seawater analysis. The pH ranged between 7.93 and 8.31; the temperature, between 22.0 and 24.0
ºC; the salinity, between 36.56 and 37.17 units; the color, between 15 and 30 Pt-Co units. The biochemical oxygen demand
ranged between 4.05 and 68.96 mg/L; and total nitrogen, between 0.53 and 1.27 mg/L. Total phosphate fluctuated between
0.02 and 0.16 mg/L; lipids, between 0.08 and 0.39 mg/L; aliphatic hydrocarbons, between 0.01 and 0.12 mg/L. Detergents did
not exceed the value of 0.02 mg/L. In some cases, total and fecal coliforms reached values beyond the limit of 1000 NMP/
100ml for total coliforms set by the Ministry of the Environment for type 4 waters (partial and total human contact). The
quality of these waters shows the impact of effluents, running mostly from east to west, in the sector of Campo Ajuro. The
physical and chemical conditions of the waters of this bay may vary throughout the year as a consequence of the dynamic
conditions prevailing in the region. It is recommended that these studies be carried out at least twice a year: during the dry
season (December to May), when the trade winds increase, and during the rainy season (June to November).