The origin of arsenic in waters and sediments from Papallacta Lake area in Ecuador

Abstract:

This chapter focuses on characterizing sources of arsenic (As) in the vicinity of Papallacta lake, Ecuador. Some of these sources are geothermal water discharges. Arsenic concentrations in these geothermal waters range from 1090 to 7853 μg/l and temperatures range from 13.8 to 63.0◦C. Arsenic concentrations were determined in water and sediment from the Tambo river, the main tributary of Papallacta lake. Arsenic concentrations are greater than 62 μg/l in water and up to 128 mg/kg in sediments. In comparison, total As concentrations in the shallow lake water during the dry season range from 220 to 369 μg/l. At depth, the As distribution was nearly homogeneous and fluctuated between 289 and 351 μg/l. Analyses of the lake sediments indicate that As concentrations vary between 60 and 613 mg/kg. From this study, it can be concluded that discharges of geothermal waters to the Tambo river are the main natural …

Año de publicación:

2009

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