Assessment of the presence and concentration of heavy metals in the waters of Lake Ilopango, El Salvador

Abstract

This article evaluates the concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, As, and Cr) in Lake Ilopango using Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF), analyzing surface samples and samples taken at a depth of 20 meters. The objective is to determine the level of contamination and the feasibility of making the water potable through follow-up monitoring during campaigns 1 and 2. The analyses, spatially processed using QGIS and the nearest neighbors method, reveal severe contamination: Arsenic and Lead levels exceed regulatory limits by up to 27 and 38 times, respectively. Given the magnitude of these excesses, it is concluded that conventional water treatment methods are insufficient.