Abstract

PERNIA, Beatriz et al. Determination of cadmium and lead in water, sediment and bioindicator organisms in Estero Salado, Ecuador. Enfoque UTE [online]. 2018, vol.9, n.2, pp.89-105. ISSN 1390-6542.  https://doi.org/10.29019/enfoqueute.v9n2.246.

Evidence of pollution by heavy metals have been detected in the city of Guayaquil, province of Guayas, coastal Ecuador. The water and sediment in the mangrove environs of Puente Portete in Estero Salado were tested for concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), as well as the following organisms: gastropods, including Littorina varia and Cerithidea mazatlanica, and the leaves of Rhizophora racemosa, Laguncularia racemosa, Avicennia germinans, and Conocarpus erectus. The samples were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The values of Cd and Pb in water and sediment exceeded the permissible limits established by Ecuadorian and Canadian standards. The gastropod species L. varia and C. mazatlanica were the best indicator organisms for detecting pollution by accumulating 2.45 ± 0.49 ppm Pb and 1.49 ± 0.67 ppm Cd, respectively. Because of the low bioavailability of heavy metals in sediments, mangrove plants did not accumulate Cd and Pb in leaves.

Keywords : sentinels; heavy metals; Portete bridge; Littorina varia; Cerithidea mazatlanica.

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