University of Atacama

Introducing a new normalized cryospheric index (NCI) to categorize sub-watersheds on arid environments

Abstract. This study examines sub-watersheds in the arid northern region of Chile (26°41’–28°24’S), situated within the broader Copiapo watershed. The primary water source for this watershed originates from cryospheric reservoirs. The region exhibits pronounced physiographic and...

Cardiometabolic multimorbidity phenotypes and their associations with functional and cognitive outcomes in older Chilean adults: findings from the Chilean national health survey

Abstract Background Multimorbidity is highly prevalent among older adults and is associated with functional decline, disability, cognitive impairment, and increased healthcare burden. However, traditional disease-count approaches may fail to capture the heterogeneity of multimorb...

Future of lithium industry in Chile and the national lithium strategy: integration of solar evaporation, direct lithium extraction, and controlled reinjection

The lithium industry in Chile is undergoing a critical transition from an extensive evaporitic model to a more efficient, sustainable, and technologically integrated operation. This paper analyzes the main challenges of the Salar de Atacama, considering its high lithium concentra...

Modeling the Distribution of Mountain Permafrost in Chile

Abstract. Mountain permafrost affects slope stability and hydrological processes, yet its distribution remains poorly understood in many parts of the world, including Chile. This study develops the first empirically calibrated national-scale high-resolution (30 m × 30 m) model of...

Mitogenome-Informed Metabarcoding for Non-Invasive Identification of Sympatric Flamingos in Northern Chile

The Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) is a widely distributed South American species inhabiting diverse wetland ecosystems from Ecuador and Peru south to Chile and Argentina, and east to Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay, ranging from sea level to high-altitude Andean salar...