Abstract

AVEIGA ORTIZ, Ana María et al. Distribution of heavy metals in water, sediments and fish of the Carrizal River, Ecuador. Ing. hidrául. ambient. [online]. 2022, vol.43, n.3, pp. 13-23.  Epub Oct 22, 2022. ISSN 2788-6050.

This research aims to analyze the distribution of heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Cu) in water, sediments and fish from the Carrizal River, Manabí - Ecuador. 21 monitoring stations for water and sediment were carried out. In addition, liver, gill, and muscle tissue samples of Hoplias microlepis, Aequidens rivulatus, and Oreochromis niloticus were extracted; heavy metal content is determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The Pb in water and sediments was 0,41 mg/L and 0,03 mg/kg, respectively. In gills of Hoplias microlepis (0,181 mg/kg) and in muscles of Aequidens rivulatus (0,149 mg/kg), the highest levels of Pb were found. The fish species presented undetectable levels of Cd or Cu. The level of Pb in surface water exceeds the established limit; evidencing a distribution and possible biomagnification of this metal.

Keywords : river water; biomagnification; contamination; ichthyofauna; heavy metals.

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