Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Mining-Affected River Sediments in the Peruvian Central Highlands

• Autores: Custodio, María, Pizarro Carcausto, Samuel Edwin, Huarcaya, Javier, Ortega Quispe, Kevin Abner, Ccopi Trucios, Dennis
• Formato: artículo
• Fecha de Publicación: 2025
• Institución: Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria
• Repositorio: INIA-Institucional
• Lenguaje: inglés
• OAI Identifier: oai:repositorio.inia.gob.pe:20.500.12955/2938
• Enlace del recurso: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12955/2938; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13090783
• Nivel de acceso: acceso abierto
• Materia: Heavy metal; Ecological risk; Human health risk; River sediments; Mining; Toxicity; Water pollution; Metales pesados; Riesgo ecológico; Riesgo para la salud humana; Sedimentos fluviales; Minería; Toxicidad; Contaminación del agua; https://purl.org/pe-repo/ocde/ford#4.01.04; Evaluación de riesgos; Risk assessment; Salud humana; Human health; Polución; Pollution; Arsénico; Arsenic; Cadmio; Cadmiun; Plomo; Lead

Heavy metal contamination in rivers is a serious environmental and public health concern, especially in areas affected by mining. This study evaluated the levels of contamination and the associated ecological and carcinogenic risks in the sediments of the Cunas River, located in the central highlands of Peru. Sediment samples were collected from upstream and downstream sections. Several metals and metalloids were analyzed, including copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), vanadium (V), zinc (Zn), antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd). The ecological risk assessment focused on ten of these elements, while carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were assessed for seven metals selected based on their toxicological importance. The results showed that Cd and Pb concentrations were higher in the downstream section. Cd and As exceeded ecological risk thresholds. Regarding human health, As and Pb surpassed the acceptable limits for both the Hazard Index (HI) and the Potential Carcinogenic Risk (PCR). According to EPA guidelines, these values indicate a potentially significant lifetime cancer risk. The main exposure routes include direct contact with sediments and the consumption of aquatic organisms. Continuous monitoring, phytoremediation actions, and restrictions on the use of contaminated water are strongly recommended to reduce ecological and health risks.