CARACTERÍSTICAS GEOQUÍMICAS DE LOS SEDIMENTOS SUPERFICIALES DE LA LAGUNA LA RESTINGA, ISLA DE MARGARITA, VENEZUELA

Main Authors: Juan Velásquez, Arístide Márquez, Ivis Fermín, Fabiola López, Deudedit Hernández, William Senior
Format: Article
Terbitan: , 2016
Subjects:
Online Access: https://zenodo.org/record/197089
Daftar Isi:
  • This research aims to evaluate some chemical parameters of surface sediments of La Restinga coastal lagoon, located in Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta State, Venezuela. Using classical methodology for geochemical studies, grain size and texture of sediment percentage of organic carbon and total organic matter, as well as calcium carbonate were analyzed. Additionally, the concentrations of total nitrogen, total phosphorus and aliphatic hydrocarbons were determined. The results showed that in La Restinga lagoon sedimentary sandy texture dominate above sandy-loam and sandy-clay. The percentages of total organic carbon, total organic matter and calcium carbonate respectively varied as follows: 1.70-25.53%, 11.10-82.10% and 2.93-44.01%. Concentrations of 282.10-1571.80 mg kg-1 in total nitrogen, 419.50-2033.70 mg kg-1 in total phosphorus and 5.65-63.18 mg kg-1 for aliphatic hydrocarbons were determined. The total organic matter in the lagoon La Restinga is distributed based on the fine particles of sediment and the presence of mangroves, in turn calcium carbonate, was associated mainly to contributions from organisms with calcareous shell. The low values of the ratio NT/PT (under 5) suggest limitation of nitrogen in the ecosystem, and natural or anthropogenic enrichment of phosphorus in the sediment. The levels found of certain aliphatic hydrocarbons, are not considered as contamination levels as established by CARIPOL (1980), except in the eastern end of the main body of the lagoon. According to the points made in this study, we can infer that La Restinga Lagoon showed symptoms of degradation product of human intervention in the ecosystem.