Determination of Heavy Metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in Anadara tuberculosa in the Sectors of the Gulf of Guayaquil using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES)

This research project focuses on the determination and quantification of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) bioaccumulated in the black clam, *Anadara tuberculosa*, collected from sectors of the Gulf of Guayaquil. The problem addressed is the growing concern over environmental contamination and the potential risk to human health derived from consuming contaminated seafood, as bivalve mollusks act as bioaccumulators of these pollutants. The main methodology involves collecting *A. tuberculosa* samples during both rainy and dry seasons, followed by acid digestion of the tissues and instrumental analysis using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The general objective is to compare the detected levels against maximum permissible limits established by international regulations, such as the European Union Regulation (for Cd and Pb) and the National Institutes of Health (NHI) daily intake limits (for Cu, Cr, Ni, and Zn). Expected outcomes include generating a scientific article indexed in Scopus, providing crucial data for monitoring coastal marine resources, supporting food safety for consumers, and contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health, responsible consumption, and underwater life. The project's feasibility is ensured by the team's expertise and the availability of analytical infrastructure at the Salesian Polytechnic University.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>To determine the concentrations of heavy metals cadmium, copper, chromium, nickel, lead, and zinc present in the species Anadara tuberculosa in the sectors of the Gulf of Guayaquil using ICP-OES.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Chemistry applied to life sciences