Eric Gutiérrez’s research while affiliated with Technological University of Panama and other places

The El Valle Volcanic Complex, located in the province of Cocle, Panama, presents geological characteristics that could be linked to public health problems. This study focuses on the municipalities of San Juan de Dios, Pajonal, and Caballero, where water is consumed directly from springs (groundwater outcrops). The region has a high incidence of non-traditional chronic kidney disease (nt-CKD) that may be associated with the natural presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the water. This study aimed to analyze the concentration of PTEs in groundwater and assess the carcinogenic (CR) and non-carcinogenic (HQ) risk to human health from the direct ingestion of water. Sediments, rocks, and water samples were collected. Major ions and PTEs (As, Al, Ba, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Sr, Sb, Pb, V, and Zn) were measured, and the mineralogical composition of the rocks was analyzed. The results showed that Fe was the only PTE that exceeded the recommended concentration for drinking water, according to Panama regulations, and Pb according to USEPA. In Caballero and Pajonal, the acceptable threshold for CR and HQ was exceeded, a higher percentage than in San Juan de Dios. The PTEs that contribute most to the risk are Co, Cu, Pb, and As. This study suggests that the region’s historical volcanic activity, involving the release of minerals rich in these PTEs, along with the interaction between groundwater and volcanic rocks, may be contributing to the presence of PTEs in the water. This geological phenomenon could be what has led to prolonged exposure to these elements, which correlates with the high prevalence of chronic kidney disease in the area. This is a novel study, the first conducted in Panama, as it seeks to uncover the relationship between the geology of the site, the presence of PTEs in the groundwater of springs for human consumption, and the implication of health risks, with the aim of generating new information for decision makers for the generation of public policies on health issues such as nt-CKD and cancer in the region.

The supply of water to populations is a basic need that has been threatened more frequently in recent years due to climate change, which renders seeking other sources of water essential. The hydrochemistry of the groundwater of the aquifer located in the UTP Tocumen was characterized by previous research to determine its possible use as a source of drinking water and irrigation water. The objective of this study is to characterize the soil and rock hosting the aquifer to acquire more information about them with a view to possibly exploit an alternative source of drinking water. To this end, a 10-m-depth survey was conducted to obtain soil and rock samples from the area, and to characterize geotechnical and geochemical parameters. 2D electrical resistivity tomography was used to create a lithological model of the aquifer and to correlate the data. Soil is residual of the technosol type, considered permeable with a transmissivity level that favors rainwater infiltration, followed by the soil–rock interface, where rock is weathered. It´s followed by a sedimentary rock corresponding to marly siltstones with a certain degree of tectonic fractures that allow water infiltration and its accumulation in the rocks, constituting the aquifer. The 2D electrical resistivity suggests two water accumulations: a superficial and a deep one. There was a good correlation between the aquifer water’s chemistry and the rock geochemistry.

The derelict Remance gold mine is a possible source of pollution with potentially toxic elements (PTEs). In the study area, diverse mine waste has been left behind and exposed to weather conditions, and poses risks for soil, plants and water bodies, and also for the health of local inhabitants. This study sought to perform an ecological and health risk assessment of derelict gold mining areas with incomplete remediation, including: (i) characterizing the geochemical distribution of PTEs; (ii) assessing ecological risk by estimating the pollution load index (PLI) and potential ecological risk index (RI); (iii) assessing soil health by dehydrogenase activity; and iv) establishing non-carcinogenic (HI) and carcinogenic risks (CR) for local inhabitants. Soil health seems to depend on not only PTE concentrations, but also on organic matter (OM). Both indexes (PLI and RI) ranged from high to extreme near mining and waste accumulation sites. As indicated by both the HI and CR results, the mining area poses a health risk for local inhabitants and particularly for children. For this reason, it will be necessary to set up environmental management programs in the areas that are most affected (tailings and surrounding areas) and accordingly establish the best remediation strategies to minimize risks for the local population.

The aim of the present study is to assess the combined use of geotechnical and electrical geophysical methods to determine water quality and rocks mechanics in an aquifer. The aquifer studied is located in the Tocumen sector of Panamá City, located to the southeast of city, where there is a need to study the possible use of this aquifer to provide drinking and/or irrigation water based on its quality. To this end, a 10 m well was perforated and sampled to characterize the host soil and rock trough granulometry, determine the Atterberg limits, measure the physicochemical parameters and perform a chemical analysis, including reactivity (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter content, cation exchange capacity, calcium carbonate, sulfates, chlorides, SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , Fe 2 O 3 , CaO, MgO, SO 3 , Na 2 O and K 2 O. In addition, a 2D electrical resistivity tomography profile was conducted in order to correlate the electric parameters with the physicochemical and chemical ones and extend them laterally to check the continuity of the characteristics measured. The results show a good correlation between geotechnical, geophysical and chemical parameters, thus highlighting the presence of discontinuities that must be overcome by infiltrated rainwater to reach the deepest levels, which are characterized by the presence of water. The water chemistry varies with depth, with sodium bicarbonated water being the predominant facies.