"Water and sediment samples were collected along river transects at three artisanal gold mining areas in southern Ecuador: Nambija, Portovelo-Zaruma, and Ponce Enriquez. Samples were analyzed for a suite of major and trace elements, including filtered/unfiltered water samples and stream flow measurements to determine dissolved/particulate loads."
Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from the University of Utah, "Results show that the Q. Calixto, Calera, and Siete rivers (corresponding to Nambija, Portovelo-Zaruma, and Ponce Enriquez mining areas, respectively) have substantial trace element contamination due to mining inputs. Dissolved concentrations were elevated at Calera and Siete relative to Q. Calixto, possibly reflecting the input of soluble cyano-metal complexes in mining zones where cyanidation is used in ore processing. A negative correlation was found between MeHg: THg ratios and pH, indicating an inverse relationship of mercury methylation with cyanidation (since cyanidation increases water pH)."
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