ANÁLISIS DE LAS CONCENTRACIONES DE METALES PESADOS E HIDROCARBUROS EN EL PERÍODO 2015-2016 EN SEDIMENTO DE LA ZONA INTERMAREAL DE SANTA ELENA Y MANABÍ, ECUADOR.

Abstract

At the global level, sediment in the coastal zones has had an increase of pollutants due to the anthropic activities that are developed. The objective of this research was to determine the variation of TPH, Hg, Pb and Cd concentrations and their spatio-temporal fluctuations in six sites of two locations: Santa Elena and Manabí during 2015 and 2016, including protected areas and areas with Greater human intervention. The sediments of each site were sampled through composite samples obtained on the rocky shores of the intertidal zone. The samples were analyzed by spectrophotometry and gas chromatography. Kruskal Wallis nonparametric test was used to determine significant differences. The highest concentrations of hydrocarbons were registered in Playa Prieta de Manabí. Regarding heavy metals, these presented higher levels in La Lobería and La Chocolatera de Santa Elena in relation to the other sites. Lead had the highest values in relation to metals. We found significant differences of the pollutants between the study months, the protection level of the area and climatological times. However, there is evidence of contamination by hydrocarbons and heavy metals in protected areas such as REMACOPSE and Playa Los Frailes and Playa Prieta (PNM).