Bases limnológicas para la gestión de los lagos urbanos de Concepción, Chile.

Morphological, physical and chemical characteristics of urban lakes of Conception were studied. The results indicate that these lakes are in an advanced process of eutrophication caused by excessive anthropogenic nutrient loads (mainly phosphorus and nitrogen). Furthermore, high concentrations of faecal and total coliforms in the water column and heavy metals in the sediments of these lakes were recorded. The principal component analyses showed that total phosphorus, ammonia, pH, conductivity, transparency and chlorophylla, are the variables that best explain the water conditions of all the lakes studied. It is recommended to orientate the lake management actions to decrease total phosphorus. Considering the particular situation of each lake, a series of complementary measures for reversing the current situation should be applied. This study provides new limnological information for the decision-making process focussed on the recovery of urban lakes of the City of Concepción. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]