III Simposio de Postgrado 2025: Ingeniería, ciencia e innovación

220 12 Módulo Recursos Hídricos *E-mail: rui.wang.w@ug.uchile.cl ¹ Departament of Civil Engineering, Universidad de Chile ² Centre for Biotechnology and Engineering Chile, Santiago, Chile ³ Centro Avanzado de Tecnología para la Minería (AMTC), Universidad de Chile. Rui Wang ¹* Ana Lucía Prieto ¹ , ² Pablo A. Mendoza ¹ , ³ Impacts of climate-driven hydrological change on water quality in the Andes: A review Abstract Climate change is reshaping hydrological regimes globally, with profound implications for water quality, ecosystem integrity, and human well-being. In the Andes, rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and accelerated glacier and permafrost retreat are transforming mountain hydrology. Nevertheless, the number of studies linking hydrological change to water quality remains scarce, precluding effective adaptation planning and resilient water management. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on how climate change affects hydrology and water quality in the Andes. The studies considered here were retrieved from Web of Science and Google Scholar, with focus on the assessment of both climate-driven hydrological changes and water quality impacts within the Andes region. The literature reveals that glacier retreat increases heavy metal mobilisation by exposing mineralised bedrock. Intensified runoff and erosion raise sediment and nutrient loads. Peatland degradation and permafrost thaw reduce dry-season flows, undermining dilution capacity and potentially increasing concentrations of dissolved organic carbon, nutrients, and trace metals. Groundwater systems are also affected by acid drainage and contaminant leaching. While global frameworks highlight common mechanisms linking hydrological change and water quality, Andean catchments face additional challenges due to cryosphere loss and unique geomorphology. Key research gaps include the need for long-term monitoring of glacier-fed and groundwater systems, and a better understanding of contaminant pathways under changing hydrological conditions.