-
Title
-
Water sample collection in Bolivia
-
Description
-
We collected water samples in Sajama National Park, Bolivia in June 2025 to identify elements in surface water related to health risks and trace the origin and flow of surface water. The video is from water sample collection on June 1st. In the Bolivian Altiplano, climate change, glacial retreat, and mining contamination are intensifying water insecurity and exposing rural Indigenous communities to unsafe drinking water. These challenges are particularly acute in high-altitude protected areas such as Sajama National Park. Twelve samples were strategically collected, from key community water sources and snow at varying elevations, capturing both local exposure points and potential upstream inputs. Seven were analyzed for elemental composition, and five for tritium and stable isotopes. Several trace elements exceeded international acceptability levels, raising concerns for human health. Stable isotopic analyses indicate that surface water supplies are primarily derived from snowmelt at high elevations. This study provides one of the first assessments of water quality and hydrological origins in Sajama National Park, identifying naturally occurring contamination from geothermal rather than human sources. Note - the music used in the video should be copyright free.
-
Date
-
2026-01-05
-
Creator
-
Kamimura, Akiko
