Arsenic in waters, soils and sediments of the Limoncocha Biological Reserve - Ecuador for conservation purposes

Abstract

The Limoncocha Biological Reserve (RBL) in Ecuador is of considerable ecological importance, and it hosts species of flora and fauna of significant scientific interest. Due to its geographical location, it presents a risk of contamination of its environmental components: water, soil, and sediments, due to oil exploitation, agriculture, and other anthropogenic activities characteristic of the area. The presence of several productive oil fields, as well as agricultural plantations in the area, are of vital importance for the Ecuadorian economy; however, they produce reliable, liquid and gaseous discharges, with a concentration of toxic substances, which must be evaluated and counteracted, such This is the case of Arsenic. The present study assessed the level of this element in the environmental factors mentioned in the RBL, through its detection and quantification by chemical analysis using Atomic Absorption with the generation of hydrides from samples collected between April 2015 and April 2016. Data on the concentrations of this substance were compared with the Ecuadorian law and with international reference values ​​to determine if the inhabitants of the RBL, mostly of Kichwa ethnic group, present exposure for the activities they develop in the environmental factors studied. Allowing, establish the environmental inventory of the area and have reference values ​​to determine the most appropriate management of this natural reserve.