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Sánchez Catalán, F. and Mayo, Gisela and Rivero, Joaquín and Mercado Páez, J. P and Johnson Restrepo, B.. (2020). Physicochemical characterization of water and sediments in loading port of the bay of Cartagena, Colombia. Bol. Cient. CIOH, 39 (2). pp. 41-50. doi https://doi.org/10.26640/22159045.2020.505

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Abstract

Cartagena bay is one of the most important bays in Colombia both from tourist and industrial point of view. Its intensive exploitation has made it one of the most polluted in the country, reporting the presence of different types of pollutants. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to carry out a physicochemical characterization of water and sediment at the loading port of Cartagena Bay. The physicochemical parameters were determined such as dissolved/dispersed hydrocarbons, total mercury (Hg) concentration, total suspended solids, pH, concentration of nutrients (nitrites and phosphates), salinity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, turbidity and total dissolved solids. The water samples were collected from the selected nine locations (P1–P9), on the surface, at 10 meters of depth, and on the seabed. All samples were analyzed at the Caribbean Oceanographic - CIOH and Hydrographic Research Center and the University of Cartagena. The results obtained in the physicochemical analysis revealed the presence of dissolved and dispersed hydrocarbons in the water samples of the loading port, values ranged between 4.51 and 18.04 μg/L, while no hydrocarbon presence was found in sampling points collected distant from the port. Results showed that total Hg concentration ranged between 109 and 288 μg/Kg dry weight, a median value of 169 μg/Kg and a mean of 183.33 ± 55.41 μg/Kg which were above the regulations of the United States and Canada. However, parameters such as temperature, salinity and nutrients were below those permissible by Colombian law. The conducted research revealed that the loading port studied in Cartagena bay as a highly polluted area. Studies of other heavy metals such as lead, chromium, cadmium and total carbon have also been sugested due to lacking of regular cleaning or bad practices washing of the platform by port staff

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Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Contaminación. Mercurio. Hidrocarburos
Geographical coverage :	Colombia. Caribe. Bahía de Cartagena
Depositing User:	Dirección General Marítima
ISSN:	2215-9045
Official URL:	https://ojs.dimar.mil.co/index.php/CIOH/article/vi...
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.26640/22159045.2020.505

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