Geochemical and Environmental Assessment of Heavy Metals in the Gulf of Guayaquil 2019-2021

Abstract

The present study aims to contribute to the understanding of the current situation of heavy metak pollution in the Gulf of Guayaquil (GG). The GG is an area where multiple productive sectors operate, and most of the country's mangroves are located. The research objective is to evaluate the geochemical behaviour of heavy metals in the gulf by estimating the degree and distribution of pollution in the period 2019-2021 using monthly chemical reports of sediments provided by the company CGU S.A. We analyzed concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn at 7 points in the GG, determined accumulation zones and the degree of pollution usisng indexing methods, correlated the data, and performed cluster analysis to determine possible sources. Our findings showed an accumulation and pollution of Cu and Cr in 3 estuaries of the city of Guayaquil. The major pollution detected corresponds to 2020 data. The areas with higher accumulation exhibited a higher sediment contamination load. The ecological risk level remained low in all periods. Possible contamination sources are associated with anthropogenic activity from different productive sectors around the gulf.