Evaluación mediante la técnica de fitorremediación el cromo en efluentes de la industria del cuero utilizando lemna minor (lenteja acuática)

Abstract

This research project focused on evaluating the chromium in the effluents of the Leather Industry using the Phytoremediation technique applying Lemna minor (Aquatic Lentil), the investigation began with the acclimatization of the plant to the meteorological conditions of Riobamba city, so that the plant can perform its functions in the effluents. The experimental units were made up of four treatments (weeks in the aquifer riverbed), and each with four repetitions to which the initial analyses, phytoremediation, and final analyses were performed. The analytical parameters evaluated were: electrical conductivity, pH, and hexavalent chromium, which was the main objective of the investigation. For statistical analysis, ADEVA was used, and the separation of means was carried out through the Tukey test, resulting in highly significant differences between the treatments applied. When examining the results obtained in the investigation during the four weeks, the decrease of the concentration of chromium in the effluents at the time of applying phytoremediation, the result of chromium was 0.05 mg/L compared to the initial analyzes of effluents that were 0.108 mg/L. It is concluded that when the aquatic lens is in contact with the effluents, it helps considerably to reduce Hexavalent Chromium. It is recommended to use this vegetative material, Lemna minor, in the treatment of sewage water, which economically does not represent very high costs versus the benefits they represent in favor of the environment, by trapping hexavalent chromium in their tissues, releasing liquid waste of the chrome tanning process, and turning this treatment into primary.