CONCENTRATION OF METALS IN SEDIMENTS, ITS CORRELATION AND CAUSALITY IN WATER BASINS; THE CASE OF ARSENIC

Abstract

Introduction:
The concentration of metals in sediments, their correlation and causality in the surface waters of hydrographic basins are evaluated. Monitoring information from six Peruvian watersheds was used, carried out in surface water as well as in sediments, obtaining the concentration of 31 metals in each sampled point.
Objective:
To evaluate the concentration of metals in sediments and warn if there is causality in the concentration of metals in surface waters, with respect to any metal of environmental relevance.
Materials and Methods:
Monitoring carried out by the National Water Authority of Peru was used. IBM Statistics SPSS V.29 software was used.
Results and Discussion:
Of 31 metals evaluated in both sediments and surface water from rivers, there is only a moderate correlation in four metals. Regarding causality, there is only a high trend for arsenic with an R2 of 0.729. This indicates that 72.9% of the arsenic concentration in water is caused by the concentration of arsenic present in the sediments, with 27.1% attributable to other factors such as anthropic factors in the specific study areas.
Conclusions:
It is shown that the presence of arsenic in the waters is mainly due to the fact that it is found in the sediments in the study area. Therefore, it is necessary to take actions to control the effects that it may have on the environment and the human being, if it is used for consumption or productive activities such as agriculture.