Validação estequiométrica dos sulfatos de enxofre na Guayaquil, Equador, durante 2018 e 2019

Sulfur (S) is used by many industries in the city of Guayaquil as an additive, intermediate product or raw material. However, their management can cause environmental impacts and respiratory health problems. The purpose of this study was to perform a stoichiometric analysis of the critical loads of atmospheric S deposits present in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Data was collected between 2018 and 2019 in 16 sites with high anthropogenic activity, the data was obtained with the application of passive samplers or throughfall traps. Stoichiometric reactions were then applied to recognize the concentrations of the analyte in the atmosphere and the impact it causes. The results showed that the oxidation of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) generates sulfur trioxide (SO₃) in concentrations from 0.2285 to 0.7326 g. Likewise, between 1.36 10⁻³ and 6.35 10⁻³ g of sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) were formed during the washing process, corresponding to the dry and rainy seasons in which the samples were collected, respectively. It was concluded that the SO2 present in the atmosphere undergoes changes when captured by the samplers, influenced by the different oxidative states of the S.