Determination of Pesticides and Water Quality of Effluents from Flower Farms in the Cayambe Area

This project addresses the issue of water contamination caused by intensive floricultural activity in the Cayambe – Tabacundo communities. Agricultural activity, especially small-scale flower cultivation, has been shown to degrade water quality with organochlorine and organophosphate compounds, potentially affecting resident health due to contaminant bioaccumulation. The study focuses on comparing the water quality (drinking, ditch, and wastewater) in two selected communities: Santo Domingo No. 1, dominated by small flower farms, and San Luis de Ichisí, surrounded by large plantations, using a correlative triad method. The implemented methodology involves acetonitrile-assisted liquid-liquid extraction, extract cleanup using LC-18 and ENVI-8 cartridges, and final concentration for chromatographic analysis. Chromatographic analysis is performed under specific temperature and helium carrier gas flow conditions, utilizing a detector set at 300 ºC. The method was validated by determining the limit of detection and percentage recovery for organophosphate pesticides. The ultimate goal is to quantify contamination levels to safeguard public health.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>To determine the concentration of pesticides and assess the quality of drinking water, ditch water, and wastewater in two communities within the Cayambe – Tabacundo area, characterized by a high presence of flower plantations.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Sustainable water and soil management