Anthropogenic and climate induced trace element contamination in a water reservoir in northwestern Mexico

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international 2021-04, Vol.28 (13), p.16895-16912
• Main Authors: Ochoa-Contreras, Roberto, Jara-Marini, Martín Enrique, Sanchez-Cabeza, Joan-Albert, Meza-Figueroa, Diana María, Pérez-Bernal, Libia Hascibe, Ruiz-Fernández, Ana Carolina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accumulation; Animals; Anthropogenic factors; Aquatic ecosystems; Aquatic Pollution; Arsenic; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Biota; Chromium; Contamination; Copper; Cores; Decision making; Drought; Earth and Environmental Science; Economic development; Ecosystem; Ecotoxicology; Enrichment; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental quality; Environmental science; Fish; Flood control; Flood irrigation; Fluxes; Geologic Sediments; Health risks; Humans; Hydroelectric power; Hydroelectric power generation; Lead isotopes; Mercury; Mercury (metal); Metals, Heavy - analysis; Mexico; Power consumption; Regional development; Research Article; Reservoirs; Sediments; Temporal variations; Trace elements; Trace Elements - analysis; Trace metals; Trends; Waste Water Technology; Water; Water Management; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water pollution; Water Pollution Control; Water shortages; Water supply
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11995-3

Water reservoirs are essential for regional economic development, as populations depend on them for agriculture irrigation, flood control, hydroelectric power generation, water supply for human consumption, and subsistence fishing activities. However, the reservoir environmental quality can be disturbed by enhanced sediment input and trace metal contamination, affecting human health as a consequence of contaminated water and fish consumption. With the purpose to understand the trends and extent of sediment accumulation and trace element contamination in the Oviachic reservoir (OV, northwestern Mexico) since its construction, the temporal variations of sediment accumulation, and As, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations, enrichment, and fluxes, were evaluated through the study of two 210 Pb-dated sediment cores. We assumed that siltation and trace element contamination were driven by the development of anthropogenic activities in the region within the past ~ 70 years. Elemental concentrations accounted from null to minor enrichment for most elements, but moderate to significant enrichment by Hg. Mercury, As, and Cu fluxes have notably increased since the past decade, most likely because of a combination of anthropogenic and natural processes, including catchment erosion, artisanal gold mining, and recent drought conditions in the region. Arsenic and Hg concentrations may pose deleterious risks to biota in the reservoir, and consequently to humans through fish consumption, for which further biological and toxicological tests are advisable. This study highlights the importance of using sediment dating to assess historical trends of metal contamination and identify possible sources, to support decision-making in programs addressed to reduce environmental and health risks in aquatic ecosystems.