Assessment of Pollution and Its Associated Risks to Public Health in the Camaron-Sabalo Lagoon, Mazatlan, Mexico

Abstract

The Camaron-Sabalo Lagoon is a body water located within of Mazatlán city, NW Mexico. The lagoon's surface area has been significantly reduced by the construction of hotels, boulevards, and the expansion of the aquarium; it also receives illegally wastewater from surrounding quarters. It has result in environmental impact and water pollution of the lagoon, which improve the mosquito’s growth and pathogenic bacteria; consequently, in a public health risk for residents and tourists. Therefore, the aim this work was to know the coliform bacteria levels and Dengue and Chikungunya cases, by the water pollution. Along one year, water and mosquitoes’ samples were taken each three months. The amount of coliform bacteria was quantified by the dilution multiple tubes method; whereas the mosquitoes were captured using an entomological net. The identification and quantification were performing by optical microscopy and the entomologic handbooks of the School National of Biological Sciences and Science Faculty of UNAM. The Dengue and Chikungunya cases were obtained from the Mexican Health Ministry. The results indicate that the highest number of coliform bacteria and mosquitoes were recorded during the rainy months (July, August, and September); also, the higher dengue and chikungunya cases, also occurred during these months. This is because during the rainy season, the amount of contaminated water draining to lagoon, increases, exceeding the capacity of the lagoon basin. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that environmental impact caused by construction of hotels and other facilities to enhance tourism, has contributed to increase pollution and public health risks, due the higher proliferation of mosquitoes and fecal coliform bacteria.