Evaluation of heavy metals and social behavior associated with water quality in the Suches River, Puno, Peru

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the concentration of heavy metals in the Suches river and to analyze the social behavior of local agents on the quality of water-related to mining activities in Cojata, Puno, Peru. Water and sediment samples were collected from the Suches river for the quantification of As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Cu, and Hg through inductive plasma mass spectrophotometry (ICP-MS). The research included the qualitative analysis of the social behavior of the communal agents of Cojata, based on the collection of representative testimonies. Average concentrations of metals in water are below the ECA-category 3 of Peru; however, As (11.52 mg kg^-1) and Cd (1.14 mg kg^-1) in the sediment samples exceed the limits recommended by the ISQG of Canada. The presence of these metals in the river is due to the discharges generated by excavations and drainage typical of mining activities, as well as the mineralogical composition and natural weathering of rocks in the study area, which would cause negative impacts on the quality of the river water. The social behavior of rejection of mining is based on the collective association of poor water quality related to its turbidity. The various sources of evidence suggest the need for the formalization of mining activities in Cojata, as well as the implementation of improvements in national environmental regulations.