DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL, FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

Grupo Mexico's sulfuric acid spill in the Sea of Cortez,

Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico
First part

LIN4102-Environmental Protection
LQI4092-Selected Topics 3

ESTUDENTS ID ENGINEERING
VELIA MARÍA MORALES MIJANGOS 151659 CHEMICAL
JOSE EDUARDO LOPEZ VERA 170640 CHEMICAL
CAMILA HUITRÓN GARCÍA 170271 ENVIRONMENTAL
BIANCA PRISCILA BARRERA LARA 175886 CHEMICAL
ARANTXA VICTORIA SANTILLÁN GARCÉS 170369 CHEMICAL

PERIOD SPRING 2023 | PROFESSOR MARTHA ALICIA GÓMEZ GALLEGOS

Thursday, February 8th, 2024

 LIN4102-Environmental Protection; LQI4092-Selected Topics 3

Tabla de contenido
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 3

General information about the company ..................................................................................................................................... 3

General data .................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

DEVELOPMENT ................................................................................................................................... 4

Applicable legislation based on the problem ................................................................................................................................ 4

Federal .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 4

Competent authorities involved ................................................................................................................................................. 4

Federal .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Estatal................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Municipal .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4

If you were to request support from non-governmental organizations, which association would you advise to approach, why
and what support do you think it would be prudent to request? ................................................................................................ 4
Greenpeace Mexico ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Amnesty International Mexico .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Mexican Center for Environmental Law (CEMDA) ............................................................................................................................ 5
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Mexico ................................................................................................................................... 5

Description of the pollutants emitted (characteristics, safety data sheet), their damage to the environment and the nearby
populations affected. .................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Evidence ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 5

Which studies would be carried out preventively to avoid future damages, according to the legislation and the procedures
established in SEMARNAT ............................................................................................................................................................. 5
NOM-019-SEMARNAT-1994 (Environmental Impact Studies) ......................................................................................................... 5
NOM-052-SEMARNAT-2005 (Hazardous Waste Management Plan) ............................................................................................... 5
NOM-156-SEMARNAT-2012 (Continuous Environmental Monitoring) ........................................................................................... 5
NOM-147-SEMARNAT/SSA1-2004 (Concentrations of Contaminants in Soils and Sediments) ....................................................... 5
General Law of Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection (LGEEPA) ............................................................................ 7

CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................................................... 7

REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................................... 7

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INTRODUCTION
1. General information about the company
1.1. General data
1.1.1. Location
The Guaymas valley is located in a semi-desert area in the south-central portion of the State of Sonora, and
is included in Hydrological Region No. 9 Sonora Sur, covering the municipality of Empalme and partially the
municipality of Guaymas.
1.1.2. Map

Figure 1. Map of Mexico specifically showing the location of Guaymas, Sonora.

1.1.3. Gurn
It is a company that operates mainly in the Mining and Metals sector. This company has operations in Mexico.
Some topics related to its developments are: Production, Open pit mining, Prospecting, exploration, extraction
and processing of mineral resources, Copper and Mining Companies.
1.1.4. Access roads
By land: The municipality of Guaymas has a road network of 986.8 kilometers, of which 118.2 kilometers
correspond to the main network, 184.6 kilometers to the secondary network and 684 kilometers are rural or
country roads; among these roads is the Federal Highway Mexico 15, which is responsible for communicating
the head of the municipality with the rest of the state as well as the country.
Waterway: The municipality has more than 83% of the docks that operate in the State; the fleet is made up of
359 shrimp boats, 32 sardine boats, 3 sardine boats, and 910 smaller boats, for a total of 1,304.
1.1.5. nearby towns
The main towns within the perimeter of the aquifer are: Empalme and minor towns such as Ortíz and La Misa
as well as ejido towns of Santa María, Maytorena, Cruz de Piedra and Jose María Morelos, among others.
1.1.6. economic activities of the population where the company is located
Agriculture: The irrigation infrastructure for agriculture, in addition to the 186 wells, includes the Ignacio Alatorre
Dam located in the Guaymas Valley with a total capacity of 27,700,000 cubic meters; and the hot water dam
in Vícam with an extraction capacity of 15,300,000 cubic meters of water and 345 kilometers of lined conduction
canals.
Fishing: It is the most important activity and main source of income; with a large installed capacity for catching,
processing and marketing, Guaymas fishing employs 11,800 people in catching and another 325 are engaged
in aquaculture. It contributes 70 percent of the state's total fishing production, with the main species caught
being sardines, shrimp and squid.
Mining: Outstanding position nationally and worldwide - Nearly 50% of the national mineral production
originates in Sonora - It is the main producer of copper, molybdenum, graphite, wollastonite and anthracite
coal.
Others such as livestock, national and international trade, and logistic activities.
1.1.7. HYDROGRAPHY
It has a total area of 5801 km2. The mainstream is the Mátape River, which originates in the Mazatán mountain
range at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level, near the town of Mátape, with an approximate total length
of 185 km from its source to its mouth; its general course is south, and it flows into the Gulf of California, to the
east of the bay and port of Guaymas. In its course it does not receive contributions of importance; its main
tributaries are the creeks of the lime and dry, that converge by the right margin near Guaymas. Surface water
is captured by the I. Alatorre dam and is used for irrigation. Alatorre dam and is used for agricultural and
livestock use in the upper part of the aquifer zone. Chicuroso Creek belongs to the Mátape River basin and
defines its own sub-basin from the Punta de Agua hydrometric station. It rises in the northwestern foothills of
the Bacatete mountain range about three kilometers from the Punta de Agua hydrometric station, flows
southward and empties into Yasicori Bay in the Gulf of California. The sub-basin of this stream has an area of
1201 km2 and is located between the Yaqui River watershed to the south and the Guaymas Valley to the west.
1.1.8. OROGRAPHY

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Most of its territory is flat, sloping from east to west and ends at the edge of the Gulf of California. Its main
elevations are the mountains of Bacarete, Santa Ursula, San Jose, San Pedro, Luis Blanca and the hills of El
Vigia, its coastline is mountainous in the middle part where the city of Guaymas is located, in the northern and
southern areas the beaches are low and sandy. It is produced on a low scale graphite and in smaller quantities
gold, silver and lead in two mines near the Ignacio R. Alatorre Dam.
1.2. Description of the damage
On Tuesday, July 9, 2019, the company Metalúrgica de Cobre S.A. de C.V, a subsidiary of Grupo México, owned
by businessman Germán Larrea, spilled 3,000 liters of sulfuric acid into the Sea of Cortés (Sonora, Mexico). This
new environmental crime of Grupo Mexico is due to a leak in a pipeline within the company's facilities at the
Guaymas maritime terminal, this spill occurred in a site of great natural relevance. The Sea of Cortés has been
declared a World Natural Heritage Site since 2005.

DEVELOPMENT
2. Applicable legislation based on the problem
2.1. Federal
The Permanent Commission of the Congress of the Union requested the Ministry of the Environment and Natural
Resources, the Federal Commission against Sanitary Risks and the Federal Attorney's Office for Environmental
Protection, as well as the Federal Attorney's Office for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA-03-017-A); The
Federal Attorney's Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa), Spills, Infiltrations, Discharges or Discharges of
Hazardous Materials or Hazardous Waste (PROFEPA-03-017-A) and the Orientation Center for Attention to
Environmental Emergencies (COATEA), in charge of the Environmental Emergencies Directorate, in which it
reported the existence of the aforementioned spill.

3. Competent authorities involved

According to the document “Acuerdo de la Comision Permanente del Honorable Congreso de la union en relacion con
la afectacion y daños ambientales ocasionados por el derrame de acido sulfurico en Guaymas, Sonora el pasado 9 de
julio de 2019” by the Federal Legislative Power, the list of competent authorities is the following:
3.1. Federal:
• SEMARNAT
• CONAGUA
• PROFEPA
• Comision Federal Contra Riesgos Sanitarios
• Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes
• Fiscalia General de la Republica
The role of each competent authority was the following:
SEMARNAT, PROFEPA, and Comision Federal contra riesgos sanitarios, led the communication with local
authorities as well as conducted studies that would investigate the potential danger to human health and to the
afected ecosystems in the affected areas, as well as the cause, the separation of responsibilities, application of
sanctions, and extent of the damage. Additionally, in conjunction with the Administracion Portuaria Integral de
Guaymas and PROFEPA Guaymas, would inform the results of the previously mentioned investigation, the actions
taken to sanction the responsible individuals and the actions taken to rescue the affected areas.
The Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes and the Direccion General de Fomento y Administracion
Portuaria, investigated and intervention to discover the reach and responsibility of the Administracion Portuaria
Integral de Guaymas over the incident.
Individually the SEMARNAT was also in charge of making sure that the compromises between the population and
Grupo Mexico for another spilling incident on August 6th 2014, in the rivers Sonora and Bacanuchi.
The Fiscalia General de la Republica oversaw an investigation that would open the possibility of freeing Grupo
Mexico of any responsibility on the ecological emergency.
3.2. State Authorities: (In the document there were no State Authorities Mentioned)
3.3. Municipal Authorities:
• Administracion Portuaria Integral de Guaymas
• PROFEPA Guaymas

4. If you were to request support from non-governmental organizations, which association would you advise to
approach, why and what support do you think it would be prudent to request?
By approaching these organizations, you could seek support in several areas such as:

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Research and Documentation: Obtain detailed data on the spill, its environmental impacts and the health of local
communities (CEMDA, 2018).
Awareness campaigns: 1. Collaborate in the creation of awareness campaigns to inform citizens about the situation
and pressure Grupo México to assume its responsibility (Greenpeace México, n.d.).
Legal advice: 1. Seek legal advice to take legal action against the company responsible and advocate for
compensation for affected communities (Greenpeace México, n.d.).
Pressure and promotion: Work together to pressure government authorities to take appropriate action and establish
stricter regulations to prevent future spills (CEMDA, 2018).
To address the sulfuric acid spill in the Sea of Cortez by Grupo México in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico, it is important
to consider reaching out to environmental and human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with expertise
in environmental defense and protection of communities affected by environmental disasters. Some relevant
organizations include:
4.1. Greenpeace Mexico
Since it is an international organization focused on the defense of the environment. They have experience in
peaceful protest campaigns, research and lobbying for changes in environmental and corporate policies
(Greenpeace México, n.d.).
4.2. Amnesty International Mexico
Although it has traditionally focused on human rights, Amnesty International has also worked on cases related to
environmental pollution affecting communities. They could help highlight the implications for the health and human
rights of those affected (Amnesty International, n.d.).
4.3. Mexican Center for Environmental Law (CEMDA)
Mexican organization dedicated to environmental defense and human rights in matters related to environmental
impact. They have experience in environmental litigation and could be a valuable resource in addressing the sulfuric
acid spill (CEMDA, 2018).
4.4. World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Mexico
WWF is dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of biodiversity. They may have experience in
environmental impact assessment and promoting sustainable business practices (WWF Mexico, n.d.).

5. Description of the pollutants emitted (characteristics, safety data sheet), their damage to the environment and the
nearby populations affected. EVIDENCE
5.1. Evidence
The Grupo México sulfuric acid spill in the Sea of Cortez, Sonora, Mexico, which occurred in 2019, released
approximately 3,000 liters of sulfuric acid into the sea. Sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive and toxic chemical
compound that can cause serious damage to the environment and human health.
According to the safety data sheet for sulfuric acid (H2SO4), this compound is a colorless, viscous liquid that can
cause severe burns to the skin and eyes. Additionally, it can cause irritation to the respiratory tract and
gastrointestinal tract if inhaled or swallowed. Inhaling sulfuric acid vapors can irritate the respiratory tract causing
difficulty breathing, cough, and throat and lung discomfort. It can react violently with other chemical compounds,
increasing the risk of explosions and fires.
Table 1. Physicochemical properties of sulfuric acid.
Physicochemical properties
Boiling point 337 °C.
Freezing point 10 °C.
Density 1.84 g/cm³.
pH (1M solution) < 0.

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The island wealth of the Sea of Cortez consists of the gray whale coming to its shores to reproduce and more than
56 species of seabirds, 26 of them migratory and six almost endemic, in addition to 154 species of land birds from
30 families. Another vein of this wealth are its reptiles: of the 864 species described for Mexico, 115 develop in the
waters and coasts of the Sea of Cortez, of which 48 are endemic. Consequently, said marine life and its ecosystems
were affected due to the aforementioned environmental emergency, since sulfuric acid can kill marine life and
destroy aquatic ecosystems.
Likewise, this environmental emergency also affected more than 22,000 people in seven municipalities, including
Arizpe, Banámichi, Huépac, Aconchi, San Felipe, Baviácora and Ures; municipalities directly affected and
recognized as such by both Grupo México and the government. However, the figure could rise to one million people
if it is confirmed that the contamination has reached the El Molinito dam, which in turn is connected to the Abelardo
L. Rodríguez dam. The latter is the main source of water for Hermosillo, the capital of the state of Sonora.
The inhabitants of the area were forced to abandon the planting of corn and alfalfa when they realized the
persistence of the toxicity of the water, caused by the spill, which is estimated to last more than 90 years. The
results of the Water Quality Laboratory revealed concentrations of heavy metals that exceed several times the
norm allowed for human consumption. For example, the iron content, which should be 0.3 mg/L according to the
standard, reached 14 mg/L in the analysis carried out by Conagua on samples from the Sonora River. This elevated
concentration of iron can result in hemochromatosis in those exposed to this metal. The situation presents serious
implications for the health of the population and the local ecosystem, evidencing the urgency of effective mitigation
and remedy measures.

6. Which studies would be carried out preventively to avoid future damages, according to the legislation and the
procedures established in SEMARNAT.
6.1. NOM-019-SEMARNAT-1994 (Environmental Impact Studies)
6.1.1. Items
Project Description: Details about the nature, scope, and purpose of the project. Identification and Impact
Assessment: Analysis of possible direct and indirect environmental impacts,
Mitigation Measures: Specific proposals to minimize or eliminate negative impacts.
Environmental Monitoring Program: Plan to monitor the effectiveness of mitigation measures.
6.1.2. Regulations
Establishes procedures and criteria for the preparation, presentation, approval, and evaluation of
environmental impact studies. Defines the minimum elements to be included in the studies, such as project
description, identification and assessment of impacts, mitigation measures, among others.
6.2. NOM-052-SEMARNAT-2005 (Hazardous Waste Management Plan)
6.2.1. Items
Identification and Classification of Waste: Detailed description of generated waste.
Safe Storage: Specifications for the handling and temporary storage of waste.
Safe Transport: Procedures for the safe transport of hazardous waste.
Final Disposal: Planning for safe final waste disposal.
6.2.2. Regulations
Relevant Regulations: Regulates the management of hazardous waste, establishing requirements for
identification, classification, storage, transportation, and final disposal. Defines the obligations and
responsibilities of hazardous waste generators and establishes procedures for their registration.
6.3. NOM-156-SEMARNAT-2012 (Continuous Environmental Monitoring)
6.3.1. Items
Monitoring Parameters: Definition of parameters to measure, such as pH, dissolved oxygen, specific pollutants,
etc.
Sampling Frequency: Determination of the frequency and periodicity of monitoring.
Sampling and Analysis Methods: Technical specifications for sampling and analysis methods.
Maximum Permissible Limits: Establishment of permissible limits for different pollutants.
6.3.2. Regulations
Relevant Regulations: Establishes sampling and analysis methods for monitoring contaminants in marine and
brackish waters. Defines parameters to measure, sampling frequencies, and maximum permissible limits for
different contaminants.
6.4. NOM-147-SEMARNAT/SSA1-2004 (Concentrations of Contaminants in Soils and Sediments)
6.4.1. Items
Sampling and Analysis: Specific methods for soil and sediment sampling and analysis.

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Permissible Limits: Establishment of permissible limits for various contaminants.

Corrective Actions: Procedures to address contamination levels exceeding permissible limits.
6.4.2. Regulations
Relevant Regulations: Establishes criteria for determining concentrations of contaminants in soils and
sediments. Defines sampling and analysis methods, as well as permissible limits for various contaminants in
soils and sediments.
6.5. General Law of Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection (LGEEPA)
6.5.1. Items
Public Consultation: Procedures for conducting public consultations and informativhearings.
Citizen Participation: Encouragement of active community participation in environmental decision-making.
6.5.2. Regulations
Relevant Regulations: Contains provisions related to citizen participation in environmental decisions through
public consultations and hearings. Establishes sanctions and responsibilities in case of non-compliance with
environmental regulations.

CONCLUSIONS
Finally, we can denote that in our laws, rules and regulations there are resources to penalize companies that do not comply
with a certain order of policies to exercise in our Mexican territory, however, these are absent to apply them, since, they are
not executed in their totality, and it is demonstrated in this event.

REFERENCES
Amnesty International. (n.d.). México Archives. Amnistía Internacional.
https://www.amnesty.org/es/location/americas/north-america/mexico/report-mexico/.

CEMDA. (2018). Inicio. CEMDA. https://www.cemda.org.mx.

de Medios, D. (2019, julio 13). La Jornada: El ácido derramado en Guaymas afectó al ecosistema: investigadora. La
Jornada. https://www.jornada.com.mx/2019/07/13/politica/014n2pol.

Ej Atlas. (s/f). Ejatlas.org. Recuperado el 3 de febrero de 2024, de

https://ejatlas.org/conflict/derrame-de-acido-sulfurico-de-grupo-mexico-en-el-mar-de-cortes.

Greenpeace México. (n.d.). Home. Greenpeace México. https://www.greenpeace.org/mexico/.

Grupo México derramó al mar 3 mil litros de ácido sulfúrico, segundo derrame del año. (2019, julio 11). Aristegui Noticias.
https://aristeguinoticias.com/1107/mexico/grupo-mexico-derramo-al-mar-3-mil-litros-de-acido-sulfurico-segundo-
derrame-del-ano/.

Julio, S. E. L. P. (n.d.). OCASIONADOS POR EL DERRAME ÁCIDO SULFÚRICO EN GUAYMAS. Retrieved February 2,
2024, from Gob.mx website: https://infosen.senado.gob.mx/sgsp/gaceta/64/1/2019-07-17-
1/assets/documentos/Acuerdo_MDCP_Guaymas-Sonora.pdf.

Mexicana de Cobre S.A. de C.V. (Mexicana de Cobre). (s/f). Bnamericas.com. Recuperado el 3 de febrero de 2024, de
https://www.bnamericas.com/es/perfil-empresa/mexicana-de-cobre-sa-de-cv.

Objetivo del foro. (s/f). Gob.mx. Recuperado el 3 de febrero de 2024, de

https://www.diputados.gob.mx/bibliot/publica/otras/diccjur/dic%20l.htm.

Procuraduria Federal de Protección al Ambiente. (s/f). Inicia Profepa procedimiento de inspección por derrame de ácido
sulfúrico en la API de Guaymas, Sonora. gob.mx. Recuperado el 3 de febrero de 2024, de
https://www.gob.mx/profepa/prensa/inicia-profepa-procedimiento-de-inspeccion-por-derrame-de-acido-sulfurico-
en-la-api-de-guaymas-sonora-208405.

WWF Mexico. (n.d.). WWF México. Www.wwf.org.mx. https://www.wwf.org.mx.