Impacto ambiental por productos quimicos usados en la produccion camaronera las palmas

Abstract

Aquaculture is an activity of main economic benefit for Ecuador, occupying large hectares of the coastal zone. Its development process is accompanied by different actions/activities which entail a condition or intervention towards the environment and its resources. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the environmental impact produced by the activities of the shrimp company “Las Palmas” in the canton of El Guabo, through the collection of secondary information and assessment of the state of the environmental components through the Leopold matrix. to establish strategies to mitigate the negative effects observed. The research was carried out in the period 2023-2024 in the Barbones parish, a site belonging to the El Guabo canton - province of El Oro. A qualitative methodology was used based on the researcher's subjective assessment of the environmental impacts observed in the study area. being that, according to the results found, it is established that the operations in the drainage, feeding and fertilization processes have an impact on the environmental factors in the area, particularly the changes and effects on the quality of the water, wetlands, vegetation and aquatic life. According to what was observed, the company presents inadequate management of its operations, causing the impact on the environmental components of the area where it is developed, therefore, the incorporation and compliance of an environmental management plan (EMP) is considered a point fundamental for the improvement of the internal management of the company. Therefore, within the proposal, an EMP is developed aimed at mitigating the effects of the negative impacts generated in the “Las Palmas” shrimp farm, through the implementation of measures that allow preventing and reducing the environmental impacts found. The proposal presents all eight plans: Impact prevention and mitigation plan, Non-hazardous waste management plan, Hazardous waste management plan, Training plan, Community relations plan, Industrial safety and occupational health plan, Plan prevention, risk and contingency control, Monitoring, follow-up and evaluation plan, and Abandonment or closure plan. The proposal presents a validation of positive feasibility, counting on technical knowledge, financial solvency, and socio-environmental benefits towards the study area. Considering the above, it is concluded that the company presents inadequate management in its operations, highlighting: generation of noise and suspended particles due to the use of pumps, machinery and vehicles; loss of vegetation cover and soil alteration by plowing, harrowing and walling of pools; wastewater discharges into nearby bodies of water due to water exchange in swimming pools with the presence of chemical waste, among others. Therefore, the implementation of a PMA focused on preventing, reducing and mitigating the effects produced by the development of shrimp activity in the sector is recommended, providing environmental and social security for the environment, workers and nearby communities that make use of the resources. resources. Finally, compliance with the points established within the PMA is recommended, guaranteeing the monitoring of activities and their application deadlines. avoiding further environmental degradation in production sectors.