Author(s)

J. G. Rodríguez-Ventura, F. Sierra-Cruz, F. T. Wakida, E. Vélez-López, E. Rogel-Hernández & J. H. Espinoza-Gómez

Abstract

The Tecate-Tijuana River is part of the Tijuana River Basin, which is a binational basin shared by Mexico and the United States of America. The explosive industry growth in the region of Tecate, Mexico has produced several negative environmental impacts in the Tecate-Tijuana River Basin. At the moment more than 30% of the water is used by industry and commerce in the city of Tecate. Therefore, the efficient use and the reuse of water, as well as the search for alternative water sources have begun to be very important in this region. The objective of this study is to evaluate the behavior of selected trace metals along the river, which can be retained in the river by adsorption or precipitation. Four sites were sampled along the Tecate River and seven sites along the Tijuana River during 2005–2006 and samples were analyzed for sixteen trace metals: Al, Cr, Mn, Ni, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Ag, Cd, Sb, Hg, Ba, Ti and Pb, by ICP-MS techniques. Concentrations lower than Mexican law limits for trace metals were found for water samples and higher levels than background levels in sediments were found for Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn and Ni along the Tecate-Tijuana River. The results have shown that the local industry discharges high concentrations of trace metals and aquifers can be affected; trace metal sediments are moving down stream in the Tecate-Tijuana River direction. Keywords: river water quality, trace metals river, river pollution, Tecate Mexico.

Keywords

river water quality, trace metals river, river pollution, Tecate Mexico.