Análisis de Aerosoles Sedimentarios en el Entorno Urbano del Cantón Yantzaza

Abstract

Abstract: The curricular integration project aimed to evaluate the chemical composition of settleable aerosols in the urban area of the Yantzaza canton through the application of the ASTM D1739 - 98 method (method 502), in order to quantify the concentrations of settleable particulate matter (SPM) and to carry out its elemental analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) at four monitoring stations. The results were compared with the guideline values of Ministerial Agreement 097-A and the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). During a continuous monitoring period of three months, in which 12 samples were analyzed, it was determined that nine of them exceeded the WHO guideline value (0.5 mg/m²/month); on the other hand, seven samples exceeded the national limit of 1 mg/m²/month. At the Gasolinera and Terminal stations, higher concentrations were recorded, with maximum values of 7.13 mg/m²/month and 3.09 mg/m²/month, respectively. Likewise, the presence of heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu) was identified, with variable concentrations. The statistical analysis showed that cadmium presented the highest positive and significant correlation with SPM.