Valoración de la calidad ambiental de la cuenca del río y la laguna de Gandoca mediante análisis químicos y magnéticos de sedimentos.

The presence of agrochemicals and heavy metals in the sediments of water bodies is an indication of environmental deterioration. This directly affects the different ecosystems that compose them, such as mangroves. An example of this is found in the Gandoca lagoon and river, in the southern Caribbean zone of Costa Rica. The presence of agrochemicals and heavy metals (PMs) in the environment represents one of the most significant problems due to their toxic effects and their inclusion in trophic chains, seriously affecting human health and environmental quality. They cause health effects such as cardiovascular problems and cancer. The evaluation of heavy metal contamination through traditional chemical methods is a costly procedure; for this reason, the measurement of the magnetic properties of sediments represents an economical and effective option to identify PMs present in the environment. This study aims to evaluate the state of contamination of the sediments of the Gandoca river and lagoon through chemical and magnetic analyses by systematically sampling surface sediments from the Gandoca river and lagoon for one year. Agrochemical and heavy metal content would be determined in the sediment samples, as well as measurement of magnetic mass susceptibility (χlf) and frequency dependent susceptibility (χfd%) properties. These measurements could show possible statistical correlations between the variables analyzed. Two contamination indices will also be estimated: the contamination factor (CF) and the contaminant load index (PLI).

Evaluar el estado de la contaminación de los sedimentos del río y laguna de Gandoca mediante análisis químicos y magnéticos.

1. Soluciones Químicas para el desarrollo.
2. Soluciones de ingeniería ambiental para el desarrollo sostenible.
3. Evaluación y seguimiento de contaminantes químicos y microbiológicos.