The ultimate aim of this seed project is to establish a strong partnership between the applying Swiss and Bolivian research institutes, to set-up common large projects tackling the chemical water quality in the (Bolivian) Amazon. To initiate collaboration, we will focus on the assessment of natural arsenic, and other potentially toxic trace elements in groundwater resources of the Bolivian Amazon.  The objectives of this pilot study are to (1) gather first insights on the presence of arsenic and other trace contaminants in groundwater resources, (2) test the feasibility of adapting existing and locally available arsenic treatment methods for the present groundwater types, and (3) increase exchange on a local and multilateral level.  To do so we seek funding for (1) an exploratory field campaign to sample groundwater via existing tube-wells in  geologically distinct parts of the Bolivian Amazon, followed by analysis of major and trace elements and  unraveling of systematic correlations between the hydrochemistry and the geological settings (2) lab experiments  using collected well-water to test the performance of different existing treatment systems in reducing arsenic  and/or other contaminant concentrations, and (3) (a) organization of a workshop in Bolivia with the participation  of concerned authorities, scientists, engineers and students, and (b) visit of a female Bolivian student to the Swiss  research institute for capacity building in analytical techniques for groundwater analysis.

Researcher:
Ramiro Escalera Vásquez, PhD.
Email: rescalera@upb.edu