Vertical distribution and trace element contamination in sediment cores affected by gold mining in Colombia.

The vertical distribution, level of contamination, potential ecological risks, and historical fluxes of trace elements (Pb, As, and Hg) were evaluated from 210Pb-dated sediment cores in three different areas with gold mining impacts in northern Colombia: the Atrato River (AR), the Delicias Marsh (DM) and the Encaramada Marsh (EM). All cores spanned ∼100 years; the mass accumulation rates followed the order AR > DM > EM. The average trace elements concentrations in the sediment cores were: Pb 2.41 ± 0.72, As 0.65 ± 0.32, Hg 0.07 ± 0.02 µg g-1 in the Atrato River; Pb 23.49 ± 2.59, As 2.46 ± 0.88, Hg 0.10 ± 0.02 µg g-1 in the Delicias Marsh; and Pb 9.76 ± 4.18, As 2.44 ± 1.26, Hg 0.17 ± 0.06 µg g-1 in the Encaramada Marsh. Sediments are classified according to the contamination factor (CF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) as low to very highly contaminated. The Pollution load index (PLI) indicates environmental deterioration (PLI> 1), and the Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) indicate that only Hg may produce adverse biological effects in the EM core. This study is an example of the reconstruction of temporal changes in pollution levels and impacts of potentially toxic elements caused by gold mining in remote ecosystems, which can be reproduced in other areas where environmental monitoring is scarce or non-existent.

Health risk assessment for human exposure to mercury species and arsenic via consumption of local food in a gold mining area in Colombia.

The risk to human health from exposure to certain pollutants through the consumption of fruits, tubers, and fish were evaluated in a settlement located in a Colombian area highly impacted by gold mining activities. The concentrations of mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) in edible food tissues and methylmercury (MeHg) in fish were determined for risk assessment. A questionnaire-based dietary survey was answered by 178 residents of three population groups: children (CHD), women of childbearing age (WCBA), and the rest of the population (RP). The estimated weekly intake (EWI) of MeHg presented values of 1.9 and 2.4 times higher than the provisional tolerable weekly intake (1.6 µg/kg BW/week) recommended by the FAO/WHO for CH and WCBA, respectively. The results of the HQ values of As and Hg for different food were above the safety level (HQ < 1) for most of the groups. For Hg, the highest HQ values correspond to fish, whereas for As in most of the food, but specially in fruits. The total target hazard quotients (HI) were higher than 1, in all the groups (except for CHD that consume tubers) indicating potential non-carcinogenic health risks. The values of carcinogenic risk (CR) for As through exposure to food ranged from 1.2·10-4 to 7.7·10-4, well above than the safety level of US EPA risk (10-4-10-6), suggesting the probability of carcinogenic risk for the entire population via ingestion. Therefore, safety control mechanisms and environmental education strategies should be applied to address food intake, associated with good agricultural practices to provide solutions to protect the health of the residents in areas affected by gold mining activities.

A human health risk assessment of methylmercury, arsenic and metals in a tropical river basin impacted by gold mining in the Colombian Pacific region.

The Atrato River basin is one of the most biodiverse areas worldwide, and paradoxically, it is one of the sites in Colombia with the highest environmental impact from gold mining. This study assessed the distribution of Hg, As, Pb, and Cd in 47 fish species (n = 1372) and the accumulative human health risk in inhabitants (n = 2325) from 13 municipalities located along the Atrato River basin. The results revealed that Hg and As in fish present a high potential human health risk based on their mean concentrations. Estimated daily intake (EDI) calculations showed that humans could present detrimental health effects, while that target hazard quotient (THQ) above 1 showed that the exposed population might experience noncarcinogenic health risks, mainly from the accumulative effects of Hg (80.4%) and As (18.2%). The species that would most affect the health of the inhabitants are carnivorous H. malabaricus, A. pardalis, P. schultzi, R. quelen, and C. kraussii, which are among the fourteen most consumed in the region. These species had values of estimated weekly intake (EWI) above the provisional tolerable weekly intake thresholds for MeHg (PTWI of 1.6 and 3.2 µg/kg bw/week for adults and children, respectively) in 7 of the 13 localities evaluated. According to the surveys, the calculated weekly allowable fish amount (MFW) showed that carnivorous fish may generate adverse effects on the consumers because the allowed MeHg is about 2 times higher than the upper reference limit. Other results indicate a significant carcinogenic health risk, mainly from As, in 8 of the 13 localities evaluated. Due to the high rates of unsatisfied basic needs and the monetary poverty in the region, the possibility that inhabitants can replace fish as the principal source of protein is low. Therefore, a food guidance is required to avoid risks, obtain nutritional benefits, and sustain fish populations.

Evaluación de calidad del agua en la Quebrada Jui, afluente del río Sinú, Colombia / Water quality assessment in Quebrada Jui, tributary of the Sinú river, Colombia

RESUMEN La microcuenca de la quebrada Jui, enmarcada dentro de la cuenca alta del río Sinú, región Caribe de Colombia, es uno de los recursos hídricos utilizados por la población rural para consumo, riego y saneamiento; sin embargo, recibe cargas contaminadas de centros poblados en su área de influencia, que corresponden al vertimiento de aguas residuales, afluentes de laguna de oxidación, actividades ganaderas, extracción de arena, agricultura de pancoger y cultivos no formales. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el índice de calidad del agua (ICA) y establecer la relación entre los parámetros fisicoquímicos y microbiológicos con las diferentes fuentes antropogénicas, para establecer origen común de contaminación. Además, el análisis de plaguicidas organoclorados y organofosforados, para conocer la influencia de las actividades agrícolas. Se tomaron muestras en seis estaciones, en el periodo seco y húmedo del 2018. Las concentraciones de los parámetros fisicoquímicos y microbiológicos, se analizaron empleando los métodos estandarizados de la American Public Health Association. Los plaguicidas, se cuantificaron por el método cromatografía de gases con espectrometría de masas (GC-MS). En promedio, el ICA fue 74,1, clasificando la fuente hídrica con buena calidad, exceptuando las estaciones (E4 y E5), en el periodo húmedo, cuya clasificación fue media, debido al aporte de coliformes fecales y turbidez. La concentración de plaguicidas, se presentó por debajo del límite de detección del método. En general, el análisis estadístico multivariado indica que las fuentes de contaminación derivan de aguas residuales domésticas, escorrentía agrícola, excretas del ganado porcino y minería de arena.

ABSTRACT The micro-base of the Jui creek, framed within the upper Sinú River basin, Colombia Caribbean region, is one of the water resources used by the rural population for consumption, irrigation and sanitation. However, it receives contaminated loads from urban centers in its area of influence that correspond to the discharge wastewater, oxidation lagoon tributaries, livestock activities, sand extraction, agriculture and non-formal crops. The objective of this study was to determine the water quality index (ICA) and establish the relationship between the physical-chemical and microbiological parameters with the different anthropogenic sources to establish a common source of contamination. In addition, the analysis of organochlorinated and organophosphate pesticides to understand the influence of agricultural activities. Samples were taken in six seasons, in the dry and humid period of 2018. Concentrations of physical-chemical and microbiological parameters were analyzed using the American Public Health Association's standardized methods. The pesticides were quantified by the gas chromatography method with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). On average the WQI was 74.1 classifying the water source with good quality, except the seasons (E4 and E5) in the wet period, the classification of which was average, due to the contribution of fecal coliforms and turbidity. The concentration of pesticides was below the detection limit of the method. In general, multivariate statistical analysis indicates that sources of pollution are from domestic wastewater, agricultural runoff, pig excretions and sand mining.

Mercury species in fish from a tropical river highly impacted by gold mining at the Colombian Pacific region.

This study was carried out in the Atrato River basin, a tropical ecosystem in northwestern Colombia, highly impacted by gold mining. The aim of this study was to show how these activities have deteriorated the quality of fish species, and how their intensity has influenced the distribution of mercury (Hg) pollution in the Atrato River basin. Results showed that total mercury (THg, n = 842) ranged between 32 ± 53 µg kg-1 (Cyphocharax magdalenae) and 678.5 ± 345 µg kg-1 (Agneiosus pardalis); 38% of the samples exceeded the WHO limit for the protection of populations at risk, and 15% surpassed the WHO maximum limit of THg in fish for human consumption. A significant positive correlation (p < 0.001) was found between THg with total fish length and trophic level, indicating bioaccumulation and biomagnification of mercury in fish, respectively. Using the non-migratory and carnivorous fish species Hoplias malabaricus and Caquetaia kraussii, Hg contamination was found distributed from high mining activity zones (Rio Quito, Medio Atrato, and Murindó & Vigía del Fuerte - upstream zones) to low activity areas (Rio Sucio & Carmen del Darién, and Ciénaga de Ungía & Tumaradó - downstream zones). In the first-ever performed methylmercury (MeHg) measurements in 520 fish muscle samples analyzed from the Atrato River basin, a high MeHg/THg ratio (91% of the THg) in species such as A. pardalis and H. malabaricus were recorded. Results indicated that the environment and the fish species in the Atrato River basin had been greatly affected by gold mining activities practiced on the river and its tributaries. Therefore, environmental authorities must take protection measures for the inhabitants of the area as well as for the environment.

Occupational human exposure to mercury in artisanal small-scale gold mining communities of Colombia.

With the aim of protecting human life and the environment, the Minamata Convention seeks to reduce and monitor mercury (Hg) concentrations in the environment. Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) has been identified as the most important anthropogenic source of Hg at a global scale and an important route of human exposure to Hg. In this context, this study assessed total Hg (THg) in blood, urine and hair, and methylmercury (MeHg) in human hair samples from 238 participants with occupational exposure to Hg in the most relevant ASGM communities of Colombia. Mercury concentrations in different biological matrices were related to several variables of interest such as age, gender, body mass index, fish consumption, exposure time, and specific occupational activities, such as amalgamation and amalgam burning. The median values of THg in blood (3.70 µg/L), urine (4.00 µg/L) and hair (1.37 mg/kg), and hair MeHg (1.47 mg/kg) for all participants were below permissible concentrations set by WHO. However, about 40% of the miners showed Hg concentrations in blood, urine and/or hair above the WHO thresholds. In all the biological matrices studied, miners burning amalgams showed significantly higher concentrations than miners who did not burn amalgams, with values 7-, 7-, and 8-fold higher in blood, urine and hair, respectively. A multiple linear regression model revealed that burning amalgam and fish consumption were significant predictors of Hg exposure in miners. Miners from Guainía had the highest concentrations in urine and hair, most likely due to the high manipulation and burning of amalgam, and a high fish consumption. In contrast, miners from Caldas showed the lowest Hg concentrations in all the biomarkers because they do not manipulate or burn amalgam, as well as reporting the lowest fish consumption. Our study also highlighted that gold miners exposure to Hg depends on their work practices. Therefore, the implementation of a health education programme on gold mining strategies is required, especially in Guaina, Vaupés, Córdoba, and Antioquia departments.

Dataset of concentrations of mercury and methylmercury in fish from a tropical river impacted by gold mining in the Colombian Pacific.

This data article includes information on the impact of gold mining along five zones of a tropical river in the Pacific region of Colombia. The concentrations of total mercury (THg), total length, mertimercury (MeHg) were determined in 16 species of fish. With this information, it was shown as the concentrations of mercury in fish are influenced by the distribution in the contamination along the Atrato River Basin [1]. Further, THg and MeHg concentrations were related with the trophic level to show biomagnification, and with total length to show bioaccumulation, which is important to establish the potential risk to the environment and also to the health of the inhabitants living along the basin from the consumption of fish.

La madurez ambiental como estrategia para la competitividad en las pymes de salud / Environmental maturity as a strategy for SME competitiveness in health sector

Resumen Objetivo: Se desarrolló un cuadro de mando integral de gestión ambiental para el fortalecimiento competitivo de las pequeñas y medianas empresas -PYME- del sector salud, partiendo de los resultados que arrojó la aplicación de un modelo de madurez ambiental y la caracterización ambiental de las IPS participantes. Materiales y métodos: Para esto se aplicó un instrumento de medición ambiental a 41 empresas del sector salud de la ciudad de Montería (Córdoba, Colombia) seleccionadas aleatoriamente; este instrumento fue diseñado con validez de contenido y constructo, teniendo en cuenta las variables ambientales empresariales propuestas por Wee-Quazi; para el análisis de confiabilidad se utilizó el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach. Resultados: Se definió la agrupación óptima de las empresas objeto de estudio por características comunes a través del método multivariable análisis de clúster y se hallaron 8 grupos de semejanzas entre ellas. Conclusiones: El modelo que mide la madurez de los sistemas de gestión ambiental obtuvo un alfa de Cronbach de 99,3 %, lo que permite verificar su confiabilidad para que las IPS analizadas conozcan qué aspectos son los más relevantes al llevar a cabo buenas prácticas ambientales.

Abstract Objective: A scorecard of environmental management was developed for competitive strengthening of Small and Medium Enterprises -SMEs- in the health sector, building on the results that showed the application of a maturity environmental model and environmental characterization of the IPS participants. Materials and methods: For this, it applied an environmental measuring instrument 41 companies in the health sector of the city of Monteria (Córdoba, Colombia) randomly selected, this instrument was designed with content and construct validity, considering corporate environmental variables proposed by Wee - Quazi, for analysis reliability was used Cronbach 's alpha coefficient. Results: It defined optimal clustering of firms studied by common features through cluster method of multivariate analysis and found 8 groups of similarities between them. Conclusions: The model measures the maturity of environmental management systems obtained a Cronbach 's alpha of 99.3 %, which verifies its reliability for the analyzed IPS know what aspects are most relevant to implementing good environmental practices.