Determinación de arsénico, mercurio, coliformes fecales y SARS-CoV-2 en el estero Las Ranas, Guayaquil, Provincia del Guayas-Ecuador
Fecha
2022
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Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Universidad de Guayaquil
Resumen
La contaminación del agua en los esteros del Ecuador se ha visto evidenciada en estudios previos como consecuencia de las actividades antropogénicas las cuales generan residuos y aumentan el grado de contaminantes. Por tal razón, la presente investigación tuvo como objetivo determinar las concentraciones de arsénico, mercurio, coliformes fecales y SARS-CoV-2 en el estero Las Ranas. Las colectas de muestras se realizaron en 3 estaciones, para lo cual se tomaron criterios como la presencia de asentamientos humanos, el volumen de agua y cercanía a la desembocadura. Las concentraciones máximas encontradas de arsénico en agua (0.00750 mg/L) y sedimentos (6.87 mg/kg) no superaron los límites permitidos por la normativa ambiental ecuatoriana, en cuanto al mercurio se registró la mayor concentración en P1 (0.0153 mg/L) para agua y en P2 para sedimento (0.27 mg/kg), valores que sobrepasan los establecidos por Acuerdo Ministerial 097-A. En el punto 3 se evidencio la mayor presencia de coliformes fecales con una media de 240 NMP/100, valores que superan los establecidos para aguas de contacto primario. Se detectó la presencia de SARS-CoV-2 en 2 de 3 estaciones analizadas lo cual se asocia al aumento de casos en la época muestreada. La presencia de los contaminantes encontrados en el presente estudio se atribuye a las descargas directas de aguas residuales domésticas por medio de conexiones clandestinas y al vertido incontrolado de desechos lo cual representa un riesgo para la salud de las personas que están en contacto con el agua.
Water pollution in the estuaries of Ecuador has been evidenced in previous studies as a consequence of anthropogenic activities which generate waste and increase the level of contaminants. For this reason, the present investigation aimed to determine the concentrations of arsenic, mercury, fecal coliforms and SARS-CoV-2 in the Las Ranas estuary. Samples were collected at 3 stations, using criteria such as the presence of human settlements, water volume and proximity to the mouth of the estuary. The maximum concentrations of arsenic found in water (0.00750 mg/L) and sediment (6.87 mg/kg) did not exceed the limits allowed by Ecuadorian environmental regulations. The highest concentration of mercury was found in P1 (0.0153 mg/L) for water and in P2 for sediment (0.27 mg/kg), values that exceed those established by Ministerial Agreement 097-A. At point 3, the highest presence of fecal coliforms was found with an average of 240 NMP/100, values that exceed those established for primary contact water. The presence of SARSCoV-2 was detected in 2 of the 3 stations analyzed, which is associated with the increase in the number of cases during the period sampled. The presence of the contaminants found in this study is attributed to the direct discharge of domestic wastewater through clandestine connections and the uncontrolled dumping of waste, which represents a health risk for people in contact with the water.
Water pollution in the estuaries of Ecuador has been evidenced in previous studies as a consequence of anthropogenic activities which generate waste and increase the level of contaminants. For this reason, the present investigation aimed to determine the concentrations of arsenic, mercury, fecal coliforms and SARS-CoV-2 in the Las Ranas estuary. Samples were collected at 3 stations, using criteria such as the presence of human settlements, water volume and proximity to the mouth of the estuary. The maximum concentrations of arsenic found in water (0.00750 mg/L) and sediment (6.87 mg/kg) did not exceed the limits allowed by Ecuadorian environmental regulations. The highest concentration of mercury was found in P1 (0.0153 mg/L) for water and in P2 for sediment (0.27 mg/kg), values that exceed those established by Ministerial Agreement 097-A. At point 3, the highest presence of fecal coliforms was found with an average of 240 NMP/100, values that exceed those established for primary contact water. The presence of SARSCoV-2 was detected in 2 of the 3 stations analyzed, which is associated with the increase in the number of cases during the period sampled. The presence of the contaminants found in this study is attributed to the direct discharge of domestic wastewater through clandestine connections and the uncontrolled dumping of waste, which represents a health risk for people in contact with the water.
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Palabras clave
ARSÉNICO, MERCURIO, COLIFORMES FECALES, SARS-COV-2, ESTERO