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En Colombia la minería es una actividad de gran importancia económica, sin embargo, genera grandes cantidades de residuos los cuales pueden contener elementos potencialmente tóxicos como los metales pesados, que contaminan los ecosistemas. La actividad minera actualmente es una preocupación del estado por su impacto en la Salud Pública de los ciudadanos. La cuenca del río Atrato es una de las zonas con mayor emisión de metales pesados debido a la actividad de minería de oro artesanal y a mediana escala (ASGM), dichas sustancias se encuentran registrados como sustancias con alto potencial de riesgo para la salud en especial para grupos de población sensible (mujeres, niños y personas de la tercera edad). Objetivo. Evaluar las concentraciones de mercurio, plomo y arsénico en mujeres en edad fértil de 18 a 38 años y niños de 5 a 14 años de los municipios de Bagadó y Medio Atrato en Chocó y Dabeiba en Antioquía que hacen parte de la cuenca del río Atrato Colombia. Metodología. Se aplicó una encuesta para las características sociodemográficas de la población, se evaluaron concentraciones de metales en sangre (Mercurio y plomo) y cabello (Mercurio total y arsénico). La determinación de las concentraciones de las concentraciones de mercurio en sangre y cabello se cuantifico por la técnica de descomposición térmica, amalgamación y absorción atómica (EPA) método 7473 y para Plomo en sangre y arsénico en cabello se realizó por espectrometría de absorción atómica con horno de grafito.

La minería es una de las actividades económicas más antigua en la humanidad, se desarrolla fundamentalmente en tres dimensiones: gran minería, mediana minería y pequeña minería. Según un informe de la Organización Internacional del Trabajo (OIT) del 2004, la minería del oro artesanal y en pequeña escala produce entre el 20 y el 30 % del oro del mundo, es decir, entre 500 y 800 toneladas anuales (Cano, 2012).

Climate Change is currently one of the main causes of environmental problems worldwide, although it was a theme defined by long periods of time in which there were great changes in the terrestrial surface, today we have records in which this dynamic periodicity has been modified and those large periods of time became much shorter affecting considerably the life on the planet. Increasing the continuity and intensity of extreme weather events as a result of climate variability and dynamics is leading to an increase in the associated disasters such as droughts and floods “The Colombian territory has been presenting an increase in the occurrence of events or natural disasters, such as floods, sudden increases, landslides, mass removal and forest fires, as well as the recurrent occurrence of small natural events of local order or Regional, which, even though they do not represent large immediate losses, are accumulating negative effects, which limit the development possibilities of municipalities (Ministry of Environment, Housing and Territorial Development - Minambiente, 2005). This is the case of several municipalities in the department of Córdoba, specifically in the municipality of Santa Cruz de Lorica, where problems of flooding and erosion are associated with the large water network and the numerous muddy complexes in the area. The municipality of Santa Cruz de Lorica is in an area of dangerous influence of these phenomena, which have caused serious damages, especially in the riverside housing infrastructure, in agriculture and in general in all the economic activities of the zone. The work is based on the application of a methodology that frames the evaluation of vulnerabilities, structural, non-structural, social, ecological and economic; from the identification of the hazard, with the calculation of the vulnerability integrated with the threat information, it is possible to calculate the risks in the municipality due to the river erosion. These results will be a great contribution for the decision making by the territorial entities for the application of prevention and mitigation measures according to the existing vulnerability. The risk stems from a versatile relationship of threat and vulnerability; thus, the decrease in any of them leads to a decrease in risk as a whole. Given that vulnerability is socially constructed and therefore susceptible to change as a result of natural, socio-natural or anthropogenic actions, it has now become the epicenter of attention for scientific communities of risk assessment and in disaster prevention. In this context, the objective of this work is to develop a method that can analyze and select between different technical procedures the most appropriate to the needs for the assessment of vulnerability to disasters associated with river erosion.

Currently there is a great global concern due to the increase of compounds in ecosystems from many products that are used daily in many areas, and the concern increases since these compounds called emerging pollutants (EC) are affecting ecosystems in general to the living organisms and microorganisms. In this work, 9 CE were analyzed in samples of water, suspended material and sediments from three aquatic ecosystems of the department of Córdoba-Colombia, the samples were taken in two climatic seasons of rain and drought, the risk analysis was carried out taking into account the previous concentration without effect and finally the analysis of principal components and the distribution was obtained by using the statistical program R studio. The results obtained in this study show us the presence of these ECs in these ecosystems as well as some of them in concentrations that could be affecting the ecosystem. The maximum concentration found in the water samples was in the Cispatá bay in the first sampling corresponding to 15354.15 ng / L of Ibuprofen, for the suspended material samples it was 251.69 ng / g of Triclosan detected in the first sampling in the bay. of Cispatá in the Zarapa channel and for the sediments the maximum concentration was found in After Playa Blanca with 164.74 ng / g of NPX. In the analysis of principal components, a maximum correlation between the EC of 40.9% was determined in the Cispatá bay corresponding to component 1 of said analysis. For the ecological risk analysis, it was found that in the rainy season, that is, the first sampling the Cispatá Bay in the estuarine zone, the Ayapel swamp in the vast majority of its points and the Lorica swamp 3 points were at high risk. For the second sampling in the dry season, the Cispatá bay decreased the risk to almost zero at all points, The Ayapel swamp the risk remained high for all the points and for the Lorica swamp it was high at three sampling points. Regarding the distribution, the great influence of drugs such as NPX, IBP and GMF in the bay of Cispatá stands out, in the swamps the presence of hormones such as 17alpha-Ethinyl estradiol and Progesterone can be seen more, as well as the antiepileptic Carbamazepine and the plasticizer BPA. These results reflect that many of the ECs are reaching ecosystems and in concentrations that could be affecting organisms and ecosystems in general.

Industrialization, the use of agrochemicals in agricultural activities, mining and the inappropriate use of fertilizers have caused the concentration of environmental pollutants in the different biotic components of ecosystems. In this work, it was evaluated the presence of heavy metals and organochlorine pesticides in the assemblage of bats from a sector (Manso-Tigre) of peasant occupation of the Paramillo National Natural Park, upper Sinu River basin, Córdoba department, was evaluated. The concentration of heavy metals was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with graphite furnace (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu) and cold vapor (Hg), while for determination of organochlorine pesticides (Aldrin, Dieldrin, Endrin, Heptachlor epoxide, α-BCH, βBCH, γ-BCH, 2,4-DDD, 2,4-DDT, 4,4-DDE and 4,4-DDT) was done by gas chromatography. The concentrations of Zn found in liver and muscle were higher than those of Cu, Pb, Cd and Hg. For most species, the concentration of heavy metals found in the different tissues was Zn> Cu> Pb> Hg. For the case of organochlorine pesticide (POC) content in liver and muscle, there were significant statistical differences (p

Heavy metal pollution mainly by Hg in aquatic ecosystems has great spot due the adverse effects and toxicity of Hg by anthropogenic emissions. Therefore, the presence of mercury (Hg) in its different forms (organic, elemental and mineral) poses as a great concern since it leads to bioaccumulation and biomagnification processes in the environmental composition. On the other hand, Selenium (Se) is known to be an essential micronutrient in biota and fish metabolism, but in high concentrations can generate toxicity instead. Therefore, this work determined Hg and Se concentrations and their relations and distribution in continental fishes in North of Colombia. 308 individuals from 30 species were analyzed in six study areas (Ayapel swamp, Embalse del Guájaro, Represa El Cercado, Río Ranchería, Riosucio and Unguía). Hg was quantified by the EPA-7473 method (thermal decomposition, amalgamation/atomic absorption spectrometry) in a DMA-80 direct mercury analyzer, and Se was determined by EPA-3052 method HG (hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry). To evaluate relations among Hg and Se general concentrations, body mass and total length in muscle of sampled fishes, Pearson's correlation coefficients (p

La exposición de niños y adolescentes a metales tóxicos se ha convertido en una preocupación global debido a las graves afectaciones que podrían generarse en la salud de este grupo poblacional. En la región de La Mojana diferentes estudios han reportado la contaminación gradual con metales pesados en diferentes matrices ambientales, incluyendo suelos usados para la agricultura y fuentes hídricas que abastecen la región, lo que supone un riesgo en la seguridad alimentaria. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la exposición a Hg-T y Pb-T en población de 5 a 15 años por el consumo de agua y alimentos en los municipios de San Jacinto del Cauca, Achí, Guaranda, y Ayapel de la región de La Mojana. Para ello, se recogieron muestras de cabello y sangre de 102 individuos con el respectivo consentimiento informado de sus padres, muestras de los alimentos más representativos de su dieta, y datos exactos de frecuencia de consumo semanal de cada alimento y peso de los diferentes alimentos en cada ración. La cuantificación de Hg-T en cabello y alimentos se hizo mediante un analizador directo de mercurio (Milestone DMA 80 Tri Cell), en agua se realizó por espectroscopia de absorción atómica con vapor frio (CVAAS), y la cuantificación de Pb-T en sangre, agua y alimentos se hizo mediante espectroscopía de absorción atómica con horno de grafito (GFAAS). Los resultados de los biomarcadores de exposición mostraron concentraciones promedio de Hg en cabello superiores al valor de referencia de 1 μg/g en los cuatro municipios estudiados, y concentraciones de Pb en sangre que excedieron el valor de referencia de 5 μg/dL en algunos individuos de Ayapel. Se obtuvieron concentraciones superiores a los niveles máximos permisibles de Hg y Pb en muestras de arroz, plátano, yuca y de Hg en pescado. La caracterización del peligro a través de la ingesta semanal estimada permitió identificar una relación directamente proporcional entre el consumo de pescado y las concentraciones de Hg en cabello en los cuatro municipios, y entre el consumo de arroz en individuos de Ayapel y las concentraciones de Pb en sangre. Este estudio evidenció que el consumo de alimentos contaminados con Hg y Pb en la muestra estudiada representa una fuente de exposición a estos metales, lo que puede poner en riesgo la salud de esta población susceptible.

In the Colombian Caribbean, brittle stars represents an important component within the benthic communities; however, they are being affected by different natural and anthropogenic pressures. The purpose of this research was to assess the effect of climate change on the potential geographical distribution of ophiuroids: Hemipholis cordifera, Ophiactis savignyi, Ophiopsila hartmeyeri, Ophiothrix angulata and Ophiothrix orstedii in the southern Gulf of Morrosquillo, based on the Maximum Entropy (Maxent) method. The models that used oceanographic variables showed excellent predictive performance (AUC>0.90). The suitability curves showed that temperature, oxygen percentage and conductivity affect the distribution of the selected species. In the case of the models built from the climatic variables, these had a lower predictive power and precipitation was the parameter that contributes the greatest contribution to the distribution of the species. The projections to present show the bay of Cispatá and its adjacent areas as suitable areas for the presence of this taxonomic group. The models that used the climatic variables were projected under climate change stages, and its results predict an increase in the area of suitability for O. hartmeyeri in the entire geographic area in stages B1 and A2 by 2050; although, it will be locally extinct like the other species of ofiuros by 2080.

La contaminación de suelos con metales pesados procedente de actividades antrópicas se ha convertido en una preocupación mundial por los impactos en la salud humana y ambiental, por lo que es necesario buscar estrategias sostenibles para remediar zonas contaminadas. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar cuatro plantas silvestres (Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby, Sida rhombifolia L., Amaranthus spinosus L. y Clidemia sericea D. Don.) para la fitorremediación de suelos contaminados con metales pesados (Hg, Pb y Cd) por actividades de minería aurífera. El estudio se realizó durante tres meses, con suelos provenientes de una zona de minería aurífera. Se utilizó un diseño factorial 4x3, los factores fueron el tipo de especies vegetal (S. obtusifolia, S. rhombifolia., A. spinosus y C. sericea) y la concentración de metales pesados en suelo (Control, Media y Alta), cada tratamiento por triplicado para cada especie, para un total de 36 unidades experimentales. Los análisis de concentración de Hg, Pb y Cd para las muestras de suelos y plantas, se realizaron de acuerdo a los métodos de EPA 7473 (para Hg) y EPA 3051A (para Pb y Cd). Se determinaron efectos fitotóxicos en las plantas, factores de bioconcentración (FBC) y translocación (FT). Los resultados obtenidos para los tejidos difieren en orden de acumulación de los metales, siendo la raíz la que presenta mayor concentración de estos. Los valores de FBC para Hg fueron superiores a 1 en las cuatro especies evaluadas y FBC >1 para Cd en C. sericea. Para Pb, los valores de FBC y FT < 1 se presentaron en las cuatro especies, excepto para los tratamientos control (TC) de S. rhombifolia. y C. sericea. Los FBC y FT >1 se presentaron para Cd en las S. obtusifolia, S. rhombifolia y A. spinosus. Las máximas reducciones de biomasa y área foliar (superiores al 90%) se presentaron para A. spinosus. De esta manera, las especies evaluadas tienen potencial de ser utilizadas para remediar suelos mineros mediante las técnicas de fitorremediación (fitoextracción o fitoestabilización), según corresponda la especie y el metal.

In the region of La Mojana, a serious threat to food security has been evidenced due to contamination by heavy metals, which has been evidenced in soils, water and sediments and has come to contaminate agricultural products such as rice and fish. It was proposed to evaluate the concentrations and the risk to human health of heavy metals (Mercury, Lead, Arsenic and Cadmium) in food products consumed in the region of La Mojana (Colombia). Factors associated with the consumption of food products were evaluated through a survey including socioeconomic data, and frequency of food consumption. 7,645 samples of cereal food products, meats, fruits, vegetables, milk, and tubers were collected. Mercury concentration was determined using a direct mercury analyzer (Mylestone DMA Tri Cell). The arsenic concentration was quantified with the hydride generator atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS) method. The concentration of cadmium and lead were quantified with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS). The order as a function of the mean concentrations of heavy metals was Pb = 635.25, As 179.87, Cd = 57.19 and Hg = 19.52 in food products. Vegetables shows a tendency to higher concentrations of heavy metals studied compared to the rest of food products. The food products with the highest daily intake were milk and cereals (ID = 0.35; 0.25 respectively). The EDI values decreased in the following order Cereals> Fruits> Vegetables> Tubers> Milk> Meats> Eggs. The consumption of cereals and milk are the most important contributors to the total intake of As within the food products studied. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk values of the total intake evaluated were above the maximum permissible level (HQHg = 5.004; HQCd = 1.82; HQAs = 6.24; HQPb = 1.05). Heavy metals should be monitored in the La Mojana region and strategies should be implemented in food consumption to minimize the associated risk.

El bocachico Prochilodus magdalenae es una especie endémica de Colombia, se le considera la principal especie de la pesquería continental colombiana por sus volúmenes de captura y relevancia para la economía de los pescadores. Además, se le considera una especie de importancia para la piscicultura de seguridad alimentaria; pero su cultivo se caracteriza por el uso de grandes espejos de agua con bajo desempeño productivo. Se siembra a densidades menores de 1 pez/m2 y es común su cultivo asociado con especies omnívoras como cachamas (Colossoma macropomum, Piaractus brachypomus y Piaractus orinoquensis) y tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus y Oreochromis spp). En un intento por su intensificación se evaluó su cultivo con la tecnología biofloc (BFT); para lo cual se evaluaron tres densidades de siembra (5,10, 20 peces/m3) durante diez meses. Los resultados sugieren que la densidad de siembra influyó en su crecimiento, mientras que la sobrevivencia estuvo por encima del 80% en todos los tratamientos. El bocachico durante el cultivo se mantuvo en el fondo del tanque de cultivo donde se identificó materia orgánica e inorgánica de color oscuro parecido al lodo que se genera en los estanques de cultivos en tierra; lo cual sugiere que el comportamiento alimenticio de la especie pudo incidir en la baja formación de los flóculos, cuyos valores fueron inferiores a los usualmente reportados en BFT. Se concluye que el cultivo de bocachico es posible en BFT, pero se requieren más investigaciones para ajustar la especie a este sistema intensivo de cultivo.

In Colombia, agricultural activities are a source of economic importance; however, it has a negative impact on people's health and ecosystems in the area. In the department of Córdoba, there are reports about the presence of pesticides in soils, water, and sediments (Marrugo et al, 2010). Moreover, there are reports of two studies from 2015 and 2016 in infant populations associated with agriculturalareas, where cytogenetic damage was evaluated through the use of the Comet Assay, Micronucleus test and presence of pesticide metabolites in the urine reporting a higher frequency of damage in relation to the control sample. The municipality of San Pelayo has an area of 447.6 km2, in which the rural area is represented by 99.2% of the populations. This makes almost the whole land dedicated to cattle raising and agriculture, exposing its inhabitants and children to live with many of these hazardous waste. Objective. To evaluate the cytogenetic damage caused by exposure to pesticides in children between the ages of 5 and 15 years old living in agricultural areas in the municipality of San Pelayo, Córdoba, Colombia. Materials and Methods. Peripheral blood and urine samples were taken from children living in the areas associated with the crop and children from the city of Monteria as a control group. The pesticide exposure evaluation was done through the exposure of biomarkers (Atrazine urinary concentration (ATZ) and its metabolites) and biomarkers of cytogenetic damage (frequency of micronuclei (MN) and Comet Assay (EC). Results. Measurable concentrations of ATZ and / or its metabolites were found, as well as a higher frequency of MN and DNA damage was evidenced in the parameters evaluated of blood samples taken in Pelayito in relation to the control. Significant positive associations were registered between the presence of urinary metabolites and micronucleus frequency (r = 0.368, p <0.05) and the DNA damage index (r = 0.374, p <0.05) Conclusions. Children are exposed to one of the most widely used pesticides in Pelayito, showing a positive relationship with cytogenetic damage biomarkers (MN and EC), comparing them with the control group. Putting children's health in risk. Furthermore, the results can be useful in the implementation of public health protection policies and scientific communities. This is the first study of DNA damage in children and the evaluation of mutagenicity in children of San Pelayo associated with an agricultural area.

Emerging pollutants (EC) refer to synthetic or natural chemical compounds that are not frequently monitored, but that have the potential to enter the environment and cause adverse ecological and human health effects. In this work, the absorption capacity of bisphenol A (BPA) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) was studied, supplying by drip irrigation at two concentration levels of 23.53 and 157.93 µg / L for BPA and 8.09 and 30.77 µg / L for EE2 in three species of vegetables Cucumis sativus (cucumber), Allium schoenoprasum (chives) and Brassica oleracea (cabbage) grown on agricultural soils. The presence of BPA and EE2 in the irrigation water did not cause any phytotoxic effect in the studied vegetables (p> 0.05). The organ of the plant with the greatest accumulation was the root; A greater accumulation of BPA and EE2 was accumulated in the vegetables that were watered with the low treatment (N1).

Gold mining is one of the main economic activities in Colombia, however, its inadequate management has generated mining environmental liabilities (PAM) causing degradation and contamination of natural resources such as the soil. The objective of this research was to evaluate a full-scale phytoremediation process using the plant species Jatropha curcas L., to recover a soil degraded by gold mining in northern Colombia. The intervened area was 4684.7 m2 , where 520 J. curcas plants were established; The lot was divided into two zones, where Zone 1 corresponded to the soil removed by heavy machinery during mining activity and Zone 2 to which it was not intervened with machinery, but which was subjected to degradation and contamination by mercury (Hg). In the soil, the Hg concentration was measured through time and physicochemical parameters. Additionally, morphometric and physiological monitoring of the plantation was carried out. At the end of the process the implementation costs were calculated. The results showed an increase in the content of organic matter in both zones. A decrease in Hg concentrations in the soil was observed, reaching a reduction between 50% and 65%. The plantation adapted well to the conditions to which it was subjected, the recovery of the spontaneous vegetation cover was evidenced. Phytoremediation costs were 11.3 US $ m-3 , notably lower compared to other conventional technologies. In general, the implementation of the phytoremediation process significantly improved the physicochemical and soil contamination conditions, posing as a novel remediation strategy, friendly to the environment, low cost and easy to implement

In Colombia there are several areas contaminated with heavy metals, one of these is located in the San Juan de Assisi corregimiento, municipality of Puerto LibertadorCórdoba, called the El Alacrán mine, where its main activity is the artisanal exploitation of vein gold with mercury amalgam. This has led to contamination of soils and ecosystems in the area due to the mining waste generated by this activity, including mercury (Hg) and copper (Cu). This situation has become a threat to human and environmental health, because in this area natural resources (water and soils) are used for agricultural and livestock purposes, their productivity and health depend on the state in which they are located. The phytoremediation technique is very useful in the face of this problem, as it can remedy soils contaminated with heavy metals. Which is why the objective of this study was to evaluate the fitorremediation process with Jatropha curcas L, whit the purpose of obtaining reliable, evidence-based information under real field conditions. For this purpose, physicochemical soil analyses were performed at the beginning of the process and 18 months after the species was established. Metal concentrations in soils and plants were also determined. The direct method of thermal decomposition was used for mercury analysis, using DMA-80 equipment and the flame atomic absorption spectrometry measurement methodology was used for copper analysis. The results showed that Jatropha curcas L under real field conditions, was able to accumulate and transfer mercury to its aerial parts, as well as tolerate high concentrations of copper, evidenced an improvement in soil physicochemical conditions mainly in the organic matter content.

Las acciones antrópicas inadecuadas han afectado la vegetación, las variables climáticas y el régimen hidrológico de una región. El propósito de esta investigación es analizar la relación existente de los cambios en la cobertura vegetal y las características climáticas de la cuenca del río Canalete, en el departamento de Córdoba, usando la metodología CORINE Land Cover (CLC) adaptada para Colombia, para cuantificar mediante imágenes satelitales los cambios de coberturas vegetales en toda el área de la cuenca (pastos, bosques, vegetación secundaria). El análisis se hizo a partir de las variables de precipitación, temperatura, humedad relativa y evapotranspiración potencial, obtenidas de estaciones meteorológicas ubicadas en el área de influencia de la cuenca del río Canalete para el periodo de 1972-2017. El análisis mostró, que de los 916,5 km2 de la cuenca del río Canaleta, para el periodo analizado, el área de cobertura de pastos pasó de 129,01 km2 a 653,4 km2 incrementando en un 392,5%, mientras que el área de cobertura de bosques se redujo en 62,1%, pasando de 232,8 km2 a 88,2 km2 al igual que la vegetación secundaria decreció en un y 44,6%, pasando de 336,8 km2 a 186,6 km2. En cuanto al clima, se observaron aumentos generalizados en las variables de temperatura media con incrementos de hasta 1,84 °C y evapotranspiración potencial con incrementos de hasta 7,9 mm. Los resultados de las correlaciones entre la modificación de las coberturas con las variables climáticas, mostraron que con el incremento de la cobertura de pastos, existe una correlación alta tendiendo a perfecta con las variables climáticas de temperatura media, ETP y humedad relativa con valores de r= 0,96, R2= 0,93; r= 0,88, R2= 0,78 y ; r= 0,81, R2= 0,66 respectivamente, que al ser positiva su relación es directamente proporcional, es decir, que al incrementar el área de pastos se incrementó el valor medio de estas variables climáticas en la cuenca. En contraposición la cobertura de bosque presentó una correlación negativa alta tendiendo a perfecta para las mismas variables (la temperatura media con -0,90, R2= 0,81; para humedad relativa r= -0,86, R2= 0,74 y para evapotranspiración potencial r= -0,78, R2= 0,60), lo cual demuestra que los cambios de coberturas han afectado el clima local y por ende la oferta hídrica en la cuenca del río Canalete. Los resultados obtenidos, están referidos en los cálculos estadísticos de las correlaciones existentes entre la dinámica de la modificación de las coberturas de bosques, vegetación secundaria y pastos en la cuenca del río Canalete y el comportamiento de las variables climáticas de precipitación, humedad relativa, evapotranspiración y temperatura media, analizado en cuatro periodos distribuidos entre los años 1973 a 2017, resultados que muestran la incidencia de las acciones antrópicas en el clima local y que pueden ser aporte en el cambio climático global.