Sediment analysis and water quality assessment in the Pixquiac basin: drinking water supply of Xalapa city (Veracruz, Mexico)

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment Vol. 196; no. 8; p. 687
• Main Authors: Dupont, M. C., Martinez-Tavera, E., Rodriguez-Espinosa, P. F., Hernandez-Ramirez, A. G., Guadarrama Guzmán, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.08.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Cadmium; Chromium; Copper; Drinking water; Drinking Water - chemistry; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Management; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Fluvial sediments; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Heavy metals; Iron; Leaching; Lead; Manganese; Mercury; Mercury (metal); Metal concentrations; Metals; Metals - analysis; Metals in sediments; Metals, Heavy - analysis; Mexico; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Nickel; Physicochemical processes; Physicochemical properties; Pollution sources; Quality assessment; Quality control; Rainfall; Rainy season; Rivers; Rivers - chemistry; Sediment; Sediment analysis; Sediments; Statistical analysis; Statistical methods; Wastewater; Wastewater discharges; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water pollution; Water Quality; Water quality assessments; Water resources; Water Supply; Wet season; Zinc; Mexico; Metal concentration; Pixquiac; Mexico; Water quality; Fluvial sediment; Physicochemical parameters
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12841-6

Fluvial sediment analysis and water quality assessment are useful to identify anthropic and natural sources of pollution in rivers. Currently, there is a lack of information about water quality in the Pixquiac basin (Veracruz state, Mexico), and this scarcity of data prevents authorities to take adequate measures to protect water resources. The basin is a crucial territory for Xalapa, the capital city of Veracruz state, as it gets 39% of its drinkable water from it. This research analyzed 10 physicochemical parameters and 12 metal concentrations in various rivers and sources during two seasons. Dissolved metals presented average concentrations (µg/L): Al (456.25) > Fe (199.4) > Mn (16.86) > Ba (13.8) > Zn (7.6) > Cu (1.03) > Pb (0.27) > As (0.12) > Ni (0.118) (Cd, Cr and Hg undetectable). Metals in sediment recorded average concentrations (ppm): Fe (38575) > Al (38425) > Mn (460) > Ba (206.2) > Zn (65.1) > Cr (29.8) > Ni (20.9) > Cu (16.4) > Pb (4.8) > As (2.1) (Cd and Hg undetectable). During the rainy season, Water Quality Index (WAWQI) classified stations P17 and P18’s water as “unsuitable for drinking” with values of 110.4 and 117.6. Enrichment factor (EF) recorded a “moderate enrichment” of Pb in sediment in P24. Pollution was mainly explained by wastewater discharges in rivers but also because of erosion and rainfall events. Statistical analysis presented strong relationships between trace and major metals which could explain a common natural origin for metals in water and sediment: rock lixiviation.