Revista Científica Ciencias Naturales y Ambientales
La Revista Científica de Ciencias Naturales y Ambientales, es una revista científica-académica de acceso abierto de la Facultad de Ciencias Naturales de la Universidad de Guayaquil. Su objetivo es contribuir a la producción científica, su socialización y debate, en el ámbito de las Ciencias Naturales y Ambientales. La publicación es semestral en los meses de junio y diciembre. Publica solo artículos de trabajos de investigación, comunicación científica o creación originales. Dirigida a científicos, docentes y público en general. Código ISSN en línea: 2773-7772, código impreso: 1390-8417 . Indexada en DOAJ, REDALYC, Latindex 2.0, Base, DOI y Crossref.
Esta obra está bajo una licencia Creative Commons: No comercial-Sin Derivadas- 4.0. Los autores mantienen los derechos sobre los artículos y por lo tanto son libres de compartir, copiar, distribuir, ejecutar y comunicar públicamente la obra.
Potencial Acuícola de Anodontites trapesialis: Nuevos Registros e Implicaciones para la Conservación en Sudamérica.
Anodontites trapesialis es un bivalvo de agua dulce distribuido desde México hasta Argentina, con funciones esenciales en la recirculación de nutrientes, filtración y promoción de la biodiversidad. Este estudio registra por primera vez la familia Mycetopodidae en el embalse Chongón, dentro del Sistema Nacional de Áreas Protegidas del Ecuador, ampliando su distribución. Se identificaron nueve ejemplares adultos mediante revisión taxonómica y estudio de campo. La literatura resalta su adaptabilidad, valor nutricional y resiliencia, destacando su potencial para la acuicultura en Ecuador y aportando al conocimiento del orden Unionida hacia una acuicultura sostenible.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ulises Tiberio Avendaño Villamar, José Luis Pacheco Bedoya, Milton Gabriel Montúfar Romero, Walter Edgar Ruiz Chóez, Fátima Gabriela Mesías Mosquera https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Capacidad de usos del suelo en el Espacio Integral Sostenible: Bosque Politécnico – CIIDEA ESPAM MFL
La presente investigación se enfocó en la identificación de la capacidad de usos del suelo en el Espacio Integral Sostenible: Bosque Politécnico – CIIDEA ESPAM MFL. Se analizaron variables como temperatura, humedad, pendiente, drenaje, pedregosidad, salinidad, pH y textura del suelo, para la identificación de la capacidad vocacional natural o potencial del suelo, empleando la tabla de clases de capacidad de usos del suelo elaborado por MAG/SIGTIERRAS. Las clases agrológicas de capacidad de usos del suelo identificadas fueron presentadas en un mapa, mediante el uso de tecnologías SIG. Los resultados mostraron que el área de estudio se encuentra distribuida por 6 clases de capacidad de usos del suelo: las clases I y II representaron el 5,51% (7,39 ha) y 5,39% (7,24 ha), la clase III un 9,03% (12,12 ha), las clases IV y V un 30,52% (40,97 ha) y 21,72% (29,16 ha) respectivamente, y finalmente la clase VI con un 27,83% (37,36 ha). Las capacidades del suelo reflejan diversidad, por lo que es importante tener en cuenta estas consideraciones para desarrollar estrategias sostenibles.
Copyright (c) 2025 Francisco Javier Velásquez Intriago, Carlos Andree Villafuerte Vélez, José Miguel Giler Molina, Leonardo Sebastián Bazurto Meza https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Modelación hidrológica y plan de respuesta a emergencias ante inundaciones del río Dulcepamba, Chillanes-Bolívar
Ante la amenaza histórica de inundaciones en San José del Tambo, se desarrolló un modelo hidrológico de la cuenca del río Dulcepamba en Chillanes-Bolívar, con la finalidad de generar el plan de respuesta ante inundaciones. Utilizando datos hidrometeorológicos del periodo 1999-2018 y las aplicaciones QGIS y RAS-2025, se caracterizó a la subcuenca de 307.66 km² y 5 órdenes de río. El modelo Témez demostró buena precisión con un coeficiente Nash-Sutcliffe de 0.71 y error cuadrático medio de 0.41. La media de velocidad del flujo fue 1.76 m/s, espejo de agua 27 m y caudal 31.54 m³/s. La simulación hidrológica reveló que el 43% de la población de San José del Tambo se encuentra en amenaza ante inundaciones. El plan de respuesta contempla ocho medidas con un presupuesto de $130,000 USD. Esta investigación proporciona información geográfica para la planificación territorial y la gestión de riesgos ante inundaciones del cantón Chillanes
Copyright (c) 2025 Holger Adolfo , Torres Caceres, Marcelo José Álvarez Pico https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Implementación de un sistema de recolección y compostaje de residuos orgánicos para su aprovechamiento agrícola
Los sistemas de recolección y compostaje de residuos orgánicos son una solución sostenible para su aprovechamiento agrícola, destacando que en Ecuador el 58% de los residuos sólidos urbanos son orgánicos, pero solo el 15% recibe tratamiento. Mediante revisión bibliográfica y trabajo de campo en un mercado municipal, se demostró que el compostaje puede reducir hasta un 50% los residuos en vertederos, siendo los sistemas puerta a puerta los más efectivos (70% de participación) aunque costosos, mientras el vermicompostaje resulta ideal para pequeña escala por su rapidez (8-12 semanas) y calidad nutricional. La aplicación agrícola del compost incrementa la productividad entre 15-30%, mejora la estructura del suelo y reduce el uso de fertilizantes sintéticos en 40- 60%, además de mitigar emisiones de metano en un 85-95%. El éxito de estos sistemas depende de su adaptación al contexto local, lo que los convierte en una estrategia clave para promover la economía circular.
Copyright (c) 2025 Juan Andrés Saldaña Bueno , Diana Alexandra Castillo Villota , Wilson Patricio León Cueva https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Desafíos en manejo y reducción de residuos orgánicos en mercados urbanos de Lago Agrio
El artículo examina los desafíos del manejo y reducción de residuos sólidos orgánicos en los mercados y ferias del cantón Lago Agrio, Ecuador. Este estudio se sitúa en un contexto de creciente producción de residuos, donde se prevé que para 2050 se generen más de 3,4 billones de toneladas anuales. En Lago Agrio, donde los residuos sólidos orgánicos constituyen el 66,13% del total, la gestión inadecuada genera problemas ambientales significativos, incluyendo la contaminación del suelo y del agua. En este estudio participaron 219 comerciantes, cuyos resultados revelaron que el 73,83 % considera que los problemas de gestión de residuos no son graves. El 97,20 % nunca ha realizado compostaje, lo que sugiere una baja adopción de prácticas sostenibles. Analizando las causas, el 50,47 % de los encuestados atribuye la generación de residuos a la falta de ventas. En la relación entre edad y conocimiento, un análisis de chi-cuadrado mostró que, a mayor edad, menor conocimiento sobre la disposición de residuos (p = 0,026), sugiriendo una necesidad crítica de capacitación adecuada. La gestión de residuos orgánicos se enfrenta a la falta de infraestructura apropiada y a deficiencias en la educación ambiental, lo que dificulta el aprovechamiento de los desechos. Este estudio concluye que se requieren intervenciones integrales que promuevan la educación y el uso de estrategias de gestión de residuos, en un enfoque que fomente una economía circular en la comunidad.
Copyright (c) 2025 Melanie Valeria Panimbosa Castro, Orlando Meneses Quelal https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Evaluación de distintas intensidades de luz para la producción de microalgas
El cultivo de microalgas bajo diferentes intensidades lumínicas impacta en procesos como la obtención de compuestos químicos, la generación de biocombustibles y la producción de alimentos, constituyendo una alternativa tecnológica con gran potencial para sectores productivos como la acuicultura. El objetivo del estudio fue estimar el efecto de distintas intensidades de luz en el cultivo de microalgas en un fotobiorreactor. Se evaluaron los parámetros poblacionales, la tasa de crecimiento y la productividad en el cultivo de la microalga Chaetoceros sp. en un fotobiorreactor, empleando tres réplicas para cada tratamiento: 4 000 (C), 10 000 (T1) y 20 000 (T2) lux. Las condiciones de cultivo se mantuvieron constantes con pH=8, salinidad de 35 ‰, oxígeno disuelto de 8,5 mg/L y temperatura de 24 °C. Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas entre el control (C) y los tratamientos T1 y T2 (p<0,05). En cuanto a la productividad, no se observaron diferencias significativas entre C y los tratamientos, aunque sí se evidenciaron entre T1 y T2, siendo la productividad de T1 1,31 veces superior a la de T2. Este estudio concluyó que la variación en las intensidades de luz tuvo un impacto significativo en el cultivo de Chaetoceros sp, mostrando un crecimiento de la microalga a medida que se incrementaba la intensidad lumínica, siendo T2 (20 000 lux), el que presentó el mayor crecimiento. los resultados sugieren que el manejo adecuado de la luz puede mejorar la disponibilidad de biomasa en menor tiempo, reduciendo así los costos de producción y asegurando un suministro más eficiente de alimento vivo en criaderos de organismos acuáticos.
Copyright (c) 2025 Kevin Omar Oña Limones, Geovanna Parra Riofrío https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Primer registro de leucismo en Eleotris picta (Eleotridae: Eleotrinae) en la cuenca del río Guayas, Ecuador.
Se documenta un caso de leucismo en Eleotris picta, conocida comúnmente como “guabina manchada”, capturado en el río Daule, cuenca del Guayas, Ecuador. El leucismo, una alteración cromática caracterizada por la pérdida total o parcial de melanina en la piel, se manifestó en un individuo con despigmentación generalizada, excepto en pequeñas zonas laterales y en la base de las aletas pectorales. El objetivo del estudio fue registrar esta anomalía pigmentaria en un entorno dulceacuícola tropical y contribuir al conocimiento de su ocurrencia en peces neotropicales. El análisis morfológico externo permitió confirmar la identidad taxonómica del ejemplar. Este hallazgo constituye el primer registro de leucismo en E. picta y el sexto caso documentado en peces de agua dulce de Sudamérica. La información generada amplía la comprensión sobre la diversidad de alteraciones pigmentarias en ambientes naturales y sugiere la necesidad de continuar con estudios sobre las causas y frecuencia de estas condiciones.
Copyright (c) 2025 Enrique Laaz Moncayo, Ulises Avendaño Villamar, William Revelo Ramírez, Mercy Preciado Ramírez, Geovanny Sandoval Reyes, Jonathan Valdiviezo Rivera https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Obtención de grasas lubricantes a partir de la epoxidación del aceite de las semillas de Sacha Inchi (“Plukenetia volubilis L”), del cantón “San Vicente” de la provincia de Manabí
El presente estudio se enfoca en la obtención de grasas lubricantes a partir de la epoxidación del aceite extraído de las semillas de Sacha Inchi (“Plukenetia volubilis L”), cultivadas en el cantón San Vicente, provincia de Manabí. La investigación aborda la creciente necesidad de alternativas sostenibles a los lubricantes tradicionales a base de petróleo, esto mediante la utilización del aceite de una semilla no tan conocida como el Sacha Inchi. Mediante un proceso de epoxidación, se modificó químicamente el aceite para mejorar sus propiedades fisicoquímicas y adaptarlo a aplicaciones como lubricante. El estudio incluye el diseño experimental para optimizar las condiciones de reacción, evaluando factores como la concentración de reactivos, la temperatura y el tiempo de reacción. Los resultados obtenidos demostraron la viabilidad del uso de aceite de Sacha Inchi epoxidado como una opción sostenible y efectiva en la formulación de grasas lubricantes, concluyendo que este posee características físico-químicas favorables tanto en su forma cruda como epoxidada y hallándose dentro de las normativas INEN y ISO especificadas para este tipo de grasas.
Fernando David García Pallo García Pallo
Copyright (c) 2025 Fernando David García Pallo García Pallo, Brando José Ponce Holguín https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Concentración de Materia Orgánica en Sedimentos del Estero Salado de Guayaquil, Ecuador
El estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la concentración de materia orgánica en los sedimentos del Estero Salado de Guayaquil durante el período octubre-diciembre de 2021. Se recolectaron muestras en siete estaciones y se analizaron parámetros fisicoquímicos: materia orgánica (MO) por ignición, carbono orgánico total (COT) por oxidación húmeda, nitrógeno total (NT) por método Kjeldahl y pH por potenciometría. Los resultados mostraron concentraciones promedio de MO de 17,06 ± 3,92%, clasificadas entre niveles moderados y altos. El pH presentó valores ligeramente alcalinos (7,81 ± 0,59), lo que favorece la actividad microbiana descomponedora de MO. Asimismo, se registraron concentraciones homogéneas de NT (3,95 ± 0,55%) y una correlación directa entre MO y COT. Se concluye que la variación en el contenido de MO responde tanto a factores naturales como a la influencia antropogénica, lo que evidencia la necesidad de aplicar medidas de biorremediación en el área de estudio.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jesús Alexander Cedeño Borrero, Dayse Karina Guamán Guamán, Ana de las Mercedes Grijalva Endara, Patricia Antonieta Macias Mora https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
New distribution of Arapaima gigas (Cuvier, 1829) (Osteoglossiformes: Arapaimidae) in Ecuador.
Arapaima gigas has been identified for the first time in the Chongón reservoir, which is part of the National System of Protected Areas. This discovery extends the geographical distribution of the Arapaimidae family in Ecuador. Taxonomic characteristics and photographic records are presented to confirm the identification
Copyright (c) 2025 Ulises Avendaño Villamar, José Pacheco Bedoya, Enrique Laaz Moncayo, Milton Montufar Romero, Walter Ruíz Choez https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
ESTRATEGIAS AGROECOLÓGICAS BASADAS EN INDICADORES DE SOSTENIBILIDAD PARA FINCAS RURALES, COMUNIDAD RÍO MARIANO, SAN ISIDRO, MANABÍ
This research was carried out on six of the 21 farms in the Rio Mariano community, covering a total of 126 hectares, equivalent to 36% of the community's surface area. The objective was to evaluate the level of sustainability in order to design appropriate agroecological strategies for these productive units. An initial diagnosis was carried out to characterise the study area. Subsequently, environmental, social and economic sustainability indicators were analysed using weighting criteria, which made it possible to determine the overall level of sustainability of the production units. The results revealed that the predominant economic activity is agriculture, followed by livestock, with cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) being the most frequent crop, present in 83.33% of the farms. From the evaluation of the economic, social and environmental indices, it was determined that three of the six farms exceeded the minimum threshold of the General Sustainability Index (ISGen > 2). However, only one farm achieved values above the threshold in all three dimensions, which allows it to be considered truly sustainable. Consequently, the AMEBA diagram showed that all the farms had weaknesses in the management of temporal and spatial biodiversity, as well as other deficiencies in the different dimensions evaluated. Based on these findings, agroecological strategies were proposed to strengthen the indicators with the lowest level of sustainability, aimed at strengthening the most vulnerable components and promoting sustainable and integrated farm management.
Copyright (c) 2025 José Gerardo Cedeño Zambrano, Holanda Teresa Vivas Saltos, José Randy Cedeño Zambrano, John Estalin Gaón Rojas https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
PREVALENCE OF HAEMOPARASITES IN SNAKES FROM AN EX-SITU CONSERVATION ENVIRONMENT
The study was conducted at the breeding and reproduction center of the National Institute of Public Health and Research (INSPI) in Guayaquil, Ecuador, with the aim of determining the prevalence of hemoparasites in captive snakes. Blood samples from 30 snakes of different species were analyzed using blood smear and Giemsa staining techniques. The research is of significant importance due to the high prevalence of hemoparasites in reptiles and their impact on the health of these animals. Moreover, the study was conducted at a center breeding venomous snakes for antivenom production, making monitoring of these animals' health crucial to ensure the quality and safety of the produced antivenoms. The results revealed an 80% prevalence of hemoparasites in the studied snakes, with Hepatozoon being the most common. An association was found between the presence of hemoparasites and a hematocrit level below 15%, as well as with a captivity duration ranging from 1 month to 3 years. Most of the positive snakes originated from the province of Manabí. This study underscores the importance of monitoring the health of captive snakes and conducting hemoparasite detection exams to prevent disease spread. Further studies are recommended to better understand the relationship between hemoparasites and snake health, and to implement preventive measures to control the spread of these infections in breeding center.
Copyright (c) 2025 CARELIS NATHALIE GUERRERO TERÁN, MARIA DEL CARMEN, VANESSA https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Cultivation of juvenile chame (Dormitator latifrons) in a biofloc system
Currently, one of the most important challenges in aquaculture is production costs, with balanced feed being the most determining factor in operational expenses. In Ecuador, the cultivation of chame (Dormitator latifrons) constitutes a striking aquaculture option to diversify local production due to its low cultivation cost and important ecological role. In this study, the effect of biofloc systems on a culture of chame juveniles was evaluated by determining physicochemical and zootechnical parameters such as weight gain (GP), average length (cm), specific growth rate (SGR) and survival rate. The results showed that the biofloc system, used as a supplementary food source, significantly improved the growth of chame juveniles (GP: 4.10±0.10a) compared to a traditional culture with daily water exchanges. Key words: Biofloc, chame, production, weight gain.
Copyright (c) 2025 José Oquendo Verdesoto, Gabriel Vaca https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Cultivo de postlarvas de camarón blanco (Litopenaeus vannamei) en sistemas de recirculación y biofloc
La acuicultura en Ecuador, es una actividad pecuaria, con el camarón como principal producto de exportación, mismo que es de importancia para la economía nacional. Sin embargo, existen problemas que afectan la eficiencia y sostenibilidad del sector, requiriendo la implementación de nuevas tecnologías. Dentro de este ámbito, se destacan los sistemas de flujo cerrado como los Sistemas de Recirculación Acuícola (SRA) y Sistemas Biofloc (Biofloc). Los SRA son sistemas de cultivo intensivo, que se destacan por el reciclaje del recurso hídrico en más del 90% del volumen total del sistema en el caso del SRA; o en la producción de comunidades bacterianas a partir de flóculos de materia orgánica como en el caso del Biofloc. En esta investigación se compararon sistemas de recirculación (SRA) y sistemas biofloc en un cultivo de postlarvas de camarón blanco (Litopenaeus vannamei). Se cultivaron 100 organismos de camarón en estadio de postlarva en cada tratamiento: Biofloc (T1), SRA (T2) y Control (C). Se evaluaron parámetros físico-químicos como nitrógeno amoniacal total (NAT; mg/L), nitritos (N-NO2-: mg/L), nitratos (N-NO3-; mg/L), potencial de hidrógeno (pH), temperatura (°C), oxígeno disuelto (OD), alcalinidad (mg/L), transparencia (cm) y sólidos sedimentables (mL/L); parámetros productivos como ganancia de peso (g), peso promedio final (g), tasa de crecimiento específico (%) y supervivencia (%). Se obtuvieron diferencias significativas para ganancia de peso (33.02±0.02 g), peso promedio final (0.57±0.05 g) y supervivencia (92±0.03 g) en T1, respecto a C y T2.
Copyright (c) 2025 Angel Bohórquez Sánchez, Gabriel Vaca Nuñez https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
Evaluation of post-harvest waste of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) In Portoviejo, Tosagua and Rocafuerte, Manabi-Ecuador.
The objective of this project was to carry out a socio-environmental evaluation of post-harvest coconut waste in Portoviejo, Tosagua and Rocafuerte. The Participatory Rapid Diagnosis was used in two stages: collection of information through surveys, sampling and technical visits to producing farms, georeferencing of data and generation of proposals. The study determined that the most planted coconut variety was the giant (56%) with around 1 to 3 ha with between 500 to 800 plants/ha, its production ranges between 800 to 1000 coconuts per harvest, whose residues are disposed of to the collector. (46%), they burn (28%), and 74% of producers do not carry out good environmental practices on their farms. Rocafuerte is the canton with the highest generation (96.31%), followed by Tosagua (2.64%) and Portoviejo with 1.05% of the total. It is necessary to promote the awareness of producers regarding the potential use of coconut waste under a circular economy approach.
Copyright (c) 2024 Revista Científica Ciencias Naturales y Ambientales
Stress assessment in Latin American fish through cortisol response levels
Fish, both wild and farmed, face stress factors that alter their homeostasis and ability to adapt in natural and captive environments, putting their survival at risk. Pollution and changes in water quality affect their health and response to stress. In this area, cortisol is a glucocorticoid released by the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis, which is key in the response to stress and everything related to its survival. The objective of this review was to analyze stress in fish from Latin America and the cortisol response. The analysis showed that the studies have been carried out in Brazil 77%, Colombia 10%, and Ecuador, Mexico, Uruguay and Chile, with 3% respectively. 13 studied species are reported, corresponding to: Brycon amazonicus, B. cephalus, Piaractus mesopotamicus, P. brachypomus, Colossoma macropomum, Rhamdia quelen, Pimelodus maculatus, Oreochromis niloticus, O. mossambicus, Morone saxatilis, Arapaima gigas, Austrolebias reicherti and Salmo salar . The fish species analyzed in Latin America are mostly native, with the main stressors identified being hypoxia, persecution, transportation and handling, which increase cortisol levels. However, the use of additives such as clove oil, β-glucans and ascorbic acid helps reduce this elevation. It is important to note that although chemical anesthetics such as MS-222, although they reduce stress, affect processes such as reproduction. However, the use of essential oils such as clove oil or β-glucans help reduce stress indices, so essential oils could be an alternative without negative effects on some other physiological functions.
Use of banana peel for the removal of copper (II) in aqueous solutions
Currently, the presence of heavy metals in water constitutes a potential environmental concern, due to the harmful effects they can have on human health due to the level of toxicity they have. The raw material to obtain the bioadsorbent was banana peel (Musa paradisiaca); The unit operations were applied, which consisted of: cleaning, drying, grinding and a characterization of the bioadsorbent obtained. The determination of the FT-IR spectra, a bromatological and organoleptic analysis were carried out: lignin, hemicellulose, color, odor and a physical-chemical analysis that included: humidity and ash as stipulated by the ASTM D5630-13 and ASTM D-4607 standards. . The development of the adsorption tests was carried out through batch system tests, using four samples, an initial concentration of 0.93 mg/L, a pH of 5.4, and four contact times (45 min, 60 min, 120 min and 240 min), having the highest removal percentage in the M3 at 120 min of 90.33%. In conclusion, the percentage of Cu (II) present in the solutions with Copper (II) sulfate pentahydrate was reduced using banana peel as a bioadsorbent and, above all, it was demonstrated that agricultural waste such as banana peels can serve in water mitigation. contaminated and use of waste.
Enfermedades Asociadas a las Actividades Agropecuarias: Análisis Geoespacial en San Isidro, Manabí-Ecuador
The population engaged in agricultural activity is particularly vulnerable to diseases due to a combination of factors associated with their work environment. The present research aims to identify diseases associated with agricultural activity in the San Isidro parish of the province of Manabí, Ecuador. A sample of 92 families was taken, where the data was collected through document review, interviews, surveys and direct observation, and analysis using Microsoft Excel and ArcGIS to obtain descriptive and cartographic results. The San Isidro parish has an area of 277.95 km², where 89.73% of families are mainly engaged in agricultural activities and 7.34% in forestry activities. In this rural area, it was highlighted that there is a prevalence of primary level education with 60.29% of the population, of which 71.56% are economically active. In terms of health, 81.52% have peasant insurance, but only 17.39% are retired; consequently, 98.91% of producers have suffered some illness or parenteral injury due to their daily activities and only 79.35% go to the nearest health center; the most common illness is influenza in the areas closest to the parish capital, followed by spinal problems that affect 42.39% of the population. With this, the research contributes to understanding health in agricultural environments to establish public policies adapted to the needs of the parish, promoting its sustainability and integral development.
Fertilizantes como fuente de contaminación por Cd en suelos cultivados y arroz en la provincia de Guayas- Ecuador
Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that contaminates rice, and fertilizers represent a significant source of this contamination. This study focused on detecting the presence of Cd in fertilizers, soils, and Oryza sativa plants in the cantons of Daule and Nobol in the province of Guayas, Ecuador. Nine samples of inorganic fertilizers were analyzed, and triplicate samples of soils and plants were collected at 12 stations. Using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, the maximum concentration of Cd in the fertilizers was determined to be 41.30 ± 1.65 mg/kg, over 41 times the recommended limit. In the soil, the maximum concentration was 2.59 ± 0.31 mg/kg while, in the roots, leaves, and grains, the maximum concentrations were 0.50 ± 0.07, 0.44 ± 0.08, and 0.19 ± 0.050 mg/kg, respectively. The results indicate that, in Nobol, the concentration of Cd in the soil was over five times the limit allowed by Ecuadorian regulations, although the levels in the rice remained within the limits set by the European Union. This study indicates that fertilizers are a source of Cd contamination in these areas, with Nobol being the most affected canton.
Captura de carbono en cacao (Theobroma cacao L.): Una estrategia de adaptación al cambio climático
This study assessed the capacity of cocoa production systems to mitigate climate change by capturing carbon in their components. Two plantations were analyzed: one young and one adult. Carbon sequestration in aboveground biomass was determined by a non-destructive method and in soil through the content of organic matter by calcination. The results showed that although adult cocoa has a higher total biomass, there are no significant differences between plantations. Young cocoa accumulated 54098.53 t of carbon, while adult cocoa registered 1360125.00 t. The carbon fixation rate was 27049.26 t/year in young cocoa and 85007.81 t/year in adult. Adult cocoa soil has more carbon stored (7.15 tC/0.05 ha) than young cocoa soil (4.73 tC/0.05 ha). These findings confirm cocoa’s effectiveness in carbon sequestration.
Cobertura y usos del suelo en el Espacio Integral Sostenible: Bosque Politécnico – CIIDEA ESPAM MFL
This study focused on determining the land-cover and land-use at the Integral Sustainable Space: Bosque Politécnico - CIIDEA ESPAM MFL. Using DJI Phantom 4 Pro drone technology supported by geographic information systems, an orthophoto of the study area was obtained. Land-cover and land-use were determined through supervised classification based on pixel analysis using QGis 3.28.5 software. Several major levels were identified, including significant areas for conservation and protection (54.1%), livestock (25.7%), forestry (8.6%), agriculture (8.4%), and other uses (3.2%). Among the sub-levels, forest cover, pastures, and forest plantations stood out as the largest areas, covering 47.7%, 25.7%, and 8.6%, respectively. The results obtained highlight the complexity of the landscape in the study area and emphasize the importance of diagnosing land-cover and land-use as a key component of sustainable soil resource management.
Copyright (c) 2025 Francisco Javier Velásquez Intriago, Carlos Andree Villafuerte Vélez, Carlos Ricardo Delgado Villafuerte, Leonardo Sebastián Bazurto Meza https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
The Pilot Plan For Recyclable Solid Waste Management Of Simon Bolivar Neighborhood within Echeandia
The work has done for environmental conservation, doing the right management of urban solid waste in the Echandia’s Municipality, from a socio-environmental approach with guidelines of the scientific method. Based on waste samples collected real information on the amount and type of waste generated was obtained, data obtained is: 48% of waste generated is plastics, paper and cardboard 38%, 10% glass and 4% metals, a second sampling data obtained confirm it. Organic waste is not present because it is used for animal breeding. The per-capita waste is 3.4 kg / inhabitant / day. The pilot plan reduces the volume of waste generated daily; environmental awareness was obtained with community training, so these products were used for recycling and generated revenue for Echandia Municipality.
The Analysis of the PEC Situation y Proposals of an Action Plan for La Troncal County, Cañar Province, Ecuador
La Troncal County is found in a strategic place of coast-highland eco-regional integration; being a vulnerable point in terms of its environmental care and its population’s health care. The population of La Troncal despite of its asymmetric economic growth; suffers from flaws in its sustainable development including its health care systems and good practices of environmental care. The flaws detected in Primary Health Care (PHC) and Primary Environmental Care (PEC), show which it should generate empowerment that allows a turn in health care from the obsolete medication model to one based on prevention – promotion and PHC together with PEC, that achieves wellness of the community facing a more humane a holistic future.
The Biofuel industry and its Effect on National Development (Ecuador)
One of main problems that face the world is meeting the high energy demands of modern industrialized global society of the XXI century; especially by ensuring that they are developed in a sustainable and friendly way with the environment. In this context the use of alternative energies, including biofuels, today that Ecuador walks towards the diversification of the energy matrix, looking energize your productive matrix. The is aim of this research to review, analyze and discuss a number of technical, economic and social-environmental documentation, in order to have more information regarding the effect that generates the biofuels agroindustry in the development of the Ecuador. In the Ecuador for more than one decade both the guild of sugar cane farming, oil palm such as the agro-industrial and the State, seek consensus regarding progress in biofuels, all time that is insists in improve the agroindustry of the chain productive both of the cane of sugar for the bioethanol, as the palm oil to the biodiesel. Despite advances in technical agro, there is apparent skepticism, given that failure for example, further spread of energy crops such as sugarcane in order to meet the demand national of bioethanol that is required to generate a blend of up to 10%.
The Hydrogeological assessment of watershed Las Abras, province of Chimborazo, Ecuador
Morphometric and hydrophysical parameters of Las Abras hydrographic basin, Chimborazo province, were determined by geological mapping and cartographic evaluation. The basin is overlying the Riobamba Formation, which consists of pyroclastic, lahars, lava flows and volcanic conglomerates of Quaternary age. The lithology have medium to high permeability (k= 10-1 – 10-3 cm/s), with primary and fracture porosities. The basin morphometric evaluation indicates an elongated shape because of Rf = 0.22, Cc = 0.17, Kc = 2.40 y Rbu = 5, and a low density drain, Dd = 0.98 Km/Km2, that prevents the creation of violent floods (Sc = 0.98 %). Accordingly, surface water runs slowly with enough time to infiltrate and feed groundwater aquifers, surface water recharge Las Abras local underground aquifer. This feature was tested with geophysics. In conclusion, the basin Las Abras is fit to drive and store groundwater, but not to allow surface runoff flows.
The emblematic species of flora and fauna of the city of Guayaquil and of the province of Guayas, Ecuador
A definition and characteristics for emblematic species is provided. Following these, 27 emblematic taxa of the city of Guayaquil and of the province of Guayas, in the coast of Ecuador, are presented here: Fourteen species of vascular plants and 13 species of fauna. The emblematic species of vascular plants for Guayaquil and the province of Guayas are the following: Cordia macrantha (Boraginaceae), Bursera graveolens (Burseraceae), Laguncularia racemosa var. glabriflora (Combretaceae), Pseudosamanea guachapele (Fabaceae), Gustavia angustifolia (Lecythidaceae), Ceiba trichistandra, Gossypium barbadense, Ochroma pyramidale (Malvaceae), Thalia pavonii (Marantaceae), Psidium guayaquilense (Myrtaceae), Nymphaea oxypetala (Nymphaeaceae), Epidendrum bracteolatum, Encyclia angustiloba (Orchidaceae), and Simira ecuadorensis (Rubiaceae). The emblematic species of fauna of Guayaquil and of the province of Guayas are the following: Simosciurus stramineus (Sciuridae), Ara ambiguus subsp. guayaquilensis, Forpus coelestis, Psittacara erythrogenys (Psittacidae), Myrmia micrura (Trochilidae), Crocodylus acutus (Crocodylidae), Mastigodryas reticulatus (Colubridae), Coniophanes dromiciformis (Dipsadidae), Trilepida guayaquilensis (Leptotyphlopidae), Iguana iguana (Iguanidae), Ceratophrys stolzmanni (Ceratophryidae), Porphyrobaphe iostoma (Orthalicidae), and Eulaema polychroma (Apidae).
The Environmental assessment of drilling system groundwater in Merced community, canton Colta, Chimborazo
This study evaluated the generation of environmental impacts in the groundwater drilling project and designed a possible plan of environmental management according to social, economic and environmental characteristics of the study area. The result of the environmental impact assessment identified that the main problems are: the generation of solid waste and hazardous and non-hazardous liquid, gaseous emissions, noise and vibration produced by mechanical equipment, as well as risk of accidents and occupational diseases caused by work at height and mechanical work. The socioeconomic analysis by field surveys showed as a result, La Merced community is represented mainly by people from the indigenous ethnic group, whose main source of income is agriculture and livestock; access to health and the provision of basic services is inadequate. Currently, the population has serious problems by shortage of drinking water, which is a trigger for disease and death of the most vulnerable sectors of the study area. The drilling project for exploitation of groundwater has a high percentage of acceptances as it will improve the poverty by unsatisfied basic needs.
The Abiotic parameters and its relationship with phytoplankton abundance off Puerto López (2011-2012), Province of Manabí, Ecuador
This study evaluated the impact of abiotic parameters in phytoplankton abundance at standard depths of the water column at a station located 10 miles off Puerto López in 2011 and 2012. A taxonomic identification and quantification of phytoplankton species were performed as well as the temperature and inorganic nutrients were recorded. Phytoplankton featured variations in abundance and distribution, being its values the lower registered for this area with increased cell activity between the surface and 10 m depth, being Nitzschia longissima and Cylindrotheca closterium, typify the phytoplankton community in terms of abundance and permanence registered. The results were validated statistically by: Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test, canonical correspondence analysis and Spearman rank correlation. The relationships between the phytoplankton and existing oceanographic conditions determined that species Dactyliosolen fragilissimus, Pseudo-nitzschia seriata complex and Leptocylindrus danicus had a strong correlation with the nutrients (nitrite, nitrate and silicate) , the second and third nutrient showed positive influence in the growth of L. danicus in 2011, while for 2012 Cylindrotheca closterium and Pseudo-nitzschia seriata complex and showed strong inverse correlation with temperature and direct with nutrients, specifically strong with nitrite and strong with nutrients, that’s to say, that environmental variables influenced the abundance of phytoplankton.
The Distribution per capita of water in Ecuador
The availability of water at global scale and the estimation of this resource per capita in the Ecuadorian mainland until 2016 are described. This paper is supported on the modular volumes estimated by the The National Water Secretary of Ecuador (SENAGUA) and the population data from the Census of Population and Housing conducted in Ecuador in the year 2010. The study showed that the overall availability of water per capita is within the range proposed by the World Bank; however, the present distribution is inequitable and deficient, especially in the province of Manabi and other regions of the coast of Ecuador, whose rivers are fed only by the rainfalls during the rainy season.
Pomacea canaliculata (Lamarck, 1828) as bioindicator of the presence of cadmium in the rivers Guayas, Daule and Babahoyo
The Guayas river basin is the largest of Ecuador, it is formed by the confluence of the Daule and Babahoyo rivers. Previous studies demonstrate that they are exposed to direct discharge of wastewater and chemicals used in agricultural practices. Thereby, concentrations of cadmium (Cd) in water and sediment that might be bioacumulate for the apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata) have been recorded. Cadmium is a cosmopolitan pollutant that causes a great environmental impact, assuming carcinogenics effects to the human. The aim of this work is verify if Pomacea canaliculata is a bioindicator of the presence of Cd in the Guayas, Daule and Babahoyo rivers, for this purpose concentrations of Cd in water, sediment and Pomacea canaliculata are tested and compared. All samples were carried to dry weight, digested and analyzed for atomic absorption spectrophotometry of flame. Pearson`s correlation and Principal Components Analysis proved a correlation between the bioavailable concentration of Cd in sediment and water (r2=0,768, p=0,000); moreover, Pomacea canaliculata presented a positive correlation when compared to the concentrations of bioavailable Cd in sediment (r2=0,528, p=0,004). Finally, we conclude that Pomacea canaliculata is a reliable bioindicator of the presence of Cd in the aquatic environment.