A new study, published in the journal Groundwater for Sustainable Development and based on the thesis of MSc. Karla Villamar Marazita from the Master’s in Earth Sciences at ESPOL, sheds light on the effects of mining and urban activities on the water sources in the Santa Rosa mining area in El Oro.
What did the study reveal?
Direct impact from mining activities: Some of the region's streams show clear evidence of receiving contaminated water from mining areas.
Transformation of water along its path: As the water moves towards nearby communities, its chemical composition changes, influenced by the different factors and substances it encounters along the way.
Evidence in commercial wells: Water wells used by businesses show specific characteristics due to the influence of the environment and the areas in which they recharge.
Why is this study important?
Understanding where our water comes from, how it moves, and what affects it along its path is crucial for:
Protecting our water resources.
Improving local water management.
Safeguarding the health of communities that depend on these sources.
This study integrates various scientific techniques to offer a more comprehensive view of how water behaves in a mining area, an essential step toward sustainable management of our natural resources.
Its authors from ESPOL
Karla Villamar Marazita, M.Sc.
Priscila Valverde Armas, Ph.D.
In collaboration with
State Geological Institute of Dionýz Stúr Slovak Republic : Peter Čech and Juraj Michalko
Read and discover more about the study and its conclusions. HERE
