Evaluation of the quality of the coastal waters of Playa Dorada (Dominican Republic) and their impact on the development of tourism and conservation

Abstract

Background: Sun and beach tourism is one of the main socioeconomic activities in the Dominican Republic. These activities take place on beaches that are part of the coastal-marine systems of the country, where a great variety of vegetation and fauna can be found. In this sense, the aim of this article is twofold: firstly, the hygienic quality of the recreational and tourist water of Playa Dorada is analyzed; and, secondly, the Quality Index of Marine and Coastal Waters (ICAM) of Playa Dorada is determined. The study focused on the mouth of the Muñoz River, which is the main body of water that flows into the beach, one of the biggest beaches for sun and beach tourism in the Dominican Republic. Materials and Methods: Water samples were taken at the mouth of the Muñoz River to determine different ICAM parameters. To calculate the ICAM, the INVEMAR platform (Colombia) was used, adapted with software that applies the formula used to calculate the ICAM. The data was collected using specialized equipment, tabulated in Excel and analyzed in the SPSS program. Results: Presence of these microorganisms has been obtained in the waters that flow into Playa Dorada. The ICAM data show worrying values for NO3-, BOD and PO₄ ³⁻ . The pH has been inadequate, but an optimal evaluation of the variables OD, SST, CTE and HDD has been obtained. Conclusion: The quality of the water at the mouth of the river Muñoz is optimal for the development of tourism and to guarantee the health of bathers but is detrimental to the development of the flora and fauna of the coastal-marine ecosystem.