Arsenic in geothermal sources at the north-central Andean region of Ecuador: concentrations and mechanisms of mobility |
| |
| Authors: | Luis Cumbal Paulina Vallejo Brigida Rodriguez Dina Lopez |
| |
| Institution: | (1) Centro de Investigaciones Cientificas, Escuela Politecnica del Ejercito, Sangolqui, Ecuador;(2) Carrera de Ing. Geografica y del Medio Ambiente, Escuela Politecnica del Ejercito, Sangolqui, Ecuador;(3) Department of Geology Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, USA |
| |
| Abstract: | The arsenic content of geothermal hot springs and their sediments in the north-central Andean region of Ecuador has been investigated.
The area of study is located between parallels 1°11′N and 1°30′S and includes five provinces. The area is rich in geothermal
surface manifestations that are mainly used for medicinal baths in recreational complexes. Unfortunately, water residuals
without treatment are released from the recreational facilities to surrounding water bodies. The results indicate that total
arsenic in geothermal waters in this region has a range of 2–969 μg As/L, and sediments contain arsenic ranging from 1.6 to
717.6 mg/kg. Chemical analyses of sediment samples show the presence of sulfur, iron, aluminum and calcium. A high concentration
of natural organic matter was also found in some samples (20–29.5%); thus sorption and coprecipitation can be the main mechanisms
of As immobilization on mineral phases and natural organic matter. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
| 本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ |
|
