In April of 2016, a massive earthquake devastated the northern costal state of Manabí, Ecuador. As they began to rebuild their homes and infrastructures, the displaced residents occupied villages, tent cities, and government-run refugee camps throughout the disaster-stricken areas. These temporary establishments were effective; however, the security of fresh drinking water was questionable. In an effort to provide safe, clean drinking water to the people of Ecuador commercial biofilters were installed at many of these locations. The analysis of possible drinking water contamination was conducted with undergraduate research assistants approximately one year following the earthquake. Quantitative measurements of temperature, pH, turbidity (total dissolved solids), and nitrate concentration were recorded with inexpensive portable conductivity meters and photometers. Results indicated that commercial and residential water reservoirs throughout the coastal region of Manabí, displayed evidence of increased turbidity and nitrate levels. Additionally, a lower cost instrument, MP-AES was used for the detection of cadmium and lead in the aqueous samples.

What’s in your water? A look at water quality in Ecuador employing inexpensive labor and techniques

256th National Meeting (2018)

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