The city of Riobamba captures for human consumption groundwater from melting glaciers, from seven wells in the foothills of the Chimborazo volcano. The objective is determine the percentage of existing microplastics in drinking water distribution system. Sixty two samples were collected, analysed with a cellulose filter and Nile red dye. Then observed in a stereoscope, obtaining presence in 12 samples of the 62 analysed. The results of the analysis show that there is a 19% presence of microplastics.
Microplastics are small synthetic particles that come from petroleum derivatives, are difficult to degrade and their origin is found in industrial activity and domestic consumption, even in tires. The presence of small particles (0.1 µm to < 5 mm) of plasticizer Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and synthetic rubber, which due to their size and origin are called microplastics. The friction occurs between the asphalt in contact with the tires of cars generate the detachment of small residues of it, these residues come to contain a DEHP element. Simple residual water samples were carried out in the different sewage collectors in Riobamba city, 250 mL of each of these samples were filtered using vacuum suction equipment, to then examine the filters with a visual microscope. Obtaining as a result that 80% of the samples taken and analyzed in the laboratory contain the clear presence of DEHP plasticizer from the friction of tires (confirmed by the Principal Component Analysis) with the asphalting of the streets of the city of Riobamba, and that only 20% of the samples analyzed do not present DEHP plasticizer of this type, generating a medium risk for the health of humans and aquatic animals in the sector.
The process of obtaining compost was developed at the Agroambiental Ricpamba theme park administrated by the Autonomous Municipal Government of Riobamba (GADM, where an organic fertilizer was obtained from solid waste generated in the wholesale market of the city of Riobamba in order to be use in parks, gardens, green spaces and in agriculture, for which, a stack of 1,0 tonne was armed formed with fixed proportions in relation to weight / weight from three organic components of plant type: Organic solid waste wholesale market (600 kg), tree pruning waste of the Polytechnic School of Chimborazo (300 kg), and prunings waste of ornamental palm (Phoenix canariensis) from the city of Riobamba (100 kg) To achieve adequate carbon nitrogen ratio (C/N). The compost was performed using an open stack system and manual turning; during the process a daily control of temperature and humidity was performed, besides that during each dump material samples were taken for analysis of the most important parameters, thus controlling the process. The temperature evolution of the stack in the mesophilic phase reached 45 °C and thermophilic phase temperature was above 60 °C, which was controlled with
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