Title: Use of speciation modelling of heavy metals in Los Patos lagoon, Argentina, to improve waterbody management

Authors: Erica Y. Sanchez; Lucila Elordi; Soledad Represa; Leonardo Cano; Esteban Colman Lerner; Santiago Elisio; Dario Andrinolo; Andres Porta

Addresses: Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente (CIMA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas (FCE), Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), 47 y 115, La Plata, Prov. Bs. As., Argentina ' Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente (CIMA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas (FCE), Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), 47 y 115, La Plata, Prov. Bs. As., Argentina ' Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente (CIMA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas (FCE), Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), 47 y 115, La Plata, Prov. Bs. As., Argentina ' Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente (CIMA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas (FCE), Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), 47 y 115, La Plata, Prov. Bs. As., Argentina; Programa Ambiental de Extensión Universitaria, FCE-UNLP 50 y 115, La Plata, Prov. Bs. As., Argentina ' Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Procesos Catalíticos (CINDECA)-CONICET-UNLP, 47 Nº 257, La Plata, Prov. Bs. As., Argentina ' Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente (CIMA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas (FCE), Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), 47 y 115, La Plata, Prov. Bs. As., Argentina; Programa Ambiental de Extensión Universitaria, FCE-UNLP 50 y 115, La Plata, Prov. Bs. As., Argentina ' Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente (CIMA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas (FCE), Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), 47 y 115, La Plata, Prov. Bs. As., Argentina; Programa Ambiental de Extensión Universitaria, FCE-UNLP 50 y 115, La Plata, Prov. Bs. As., Argentina ' Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente (CIMA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas (FCE), Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), 47 y 115, La Plata, Prov. Bs. As., Argentina

Abstract: Levels established in water quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life are based on the total concentrations of heavy metals regardless of speciation. However, there are numerous studies that show the importance of determining both the physicochemical characterisation of water body and the total concentration of heavy metals in them, including its chemical speciation, given its specific correlation with the bioavailability. In this regard, the objective of this study is to quantify concentrations of heavy metals in Los Patos lagoon, Argentina, and to show the utility of estimating with Visual MINTEQ software the fractions in which these metals are forming aqueous inorganic species or complexed with organic matter. The results demonstrate the relevance of using speciation calculations of metal cations, particularly when their concentrations are in the order of guide levels.

Keywords: Visual MINTEQ; speciation; bioavailability; trace metals.

DOI: 10.1504/IJENVH.2018.090862

International Journal of Environment and Health, 2018 Vol.9 No.1, pp.3 - 15

Received: 03 Aug 2016
Accepted: 07 Dec 2016
Published online: 30 Mar 2018 *

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