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Characterization of River Sediments in Loja-Ecuador

Abstract:

This research's main objective is to delineate areas with a high concentration of "pollutant" elements that imply a risk for the ecosystem and inhabitants' health in the Cordillera Real, south of Ecuador. To this end, a survey was carried out applying statistical analysis of the data. Specifically, the method of ordinary Kriging and Lepeltier is used to sort the data in populations according to their concentration. Previously, the information was compared with national (TULAS) and international regulations (Environmental Canada). These metals' spatial distribution is shown in concentration maps for each element (Hg, Pb, Zn, As, and Cu), where the potential villages exposed to these anomalies are displayed. In this sense, the samples' chemical digestion was conducted to quantify the atomic emission technique's before-mentioned pollutants' concentration. It was also correlated with geology, mineral occurrences, and metallogeny evidence to conclude that Pb and Zn anomalies are related to San Lucas granodiorite's intrusion, whereas Cu and Hg with local mineralization of sulfides, and as may be with domestic and industrial discharges. Finally, even though the anomalous concentrations of metallic elements were found to be characteristic of the lithology, cautions should be taken to safeguard the health of people and agriculture because there is evidence of elements such as As and Hg bioaccumulation in species that are part of the food chain.