Adsorción de Metales Pesados y Mejoramiento del pH con Carbón de Eucalyptus globulus y Piptocoma discolor en Aguas Residuales de la Amazonia ecuatoriana

This research is based on the evaluation of the effectiveness of charcoal obtained from Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) and Pigüe (Piptocoma discolor) for the removal of heavy metals in wastewater from the Pambay River, located in the city of Puyo, canton and province of Pastaza, in Ecuador. The Pambay River is an important recreational resource in the city of Puyo, but it captures wastewater from livestock, industrial and domestic activities. In these environmental aspects there is the presence of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and Arsenic (As). In the present investigation, a biofiltration system was implemented, using concentrations of 5 g/L, 10 g/L and 15 g/L of charcoal from Eucalyptus globulus and Piptocoma discolor, in order to evaluate its adsorption capacity. The samples were collected at strategic points in the river, and the analysis of the remaining metals was carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The tests were carried out under standard conditions, with constant stirring for 20 minutes to guarantee adsorption equilibrium. The results obtained show that Pigüe (Piptocoma discolor) is efficient for the elimination of alkalinity and heavy metals; Eucalyptus charcoal (Eucalyptus globulus) shows greater activity to reduce iron concentrations. The work represents the beginning of a technical basis for the use of these bioadsorbents in effluent treatments, promoting a sustainable and economically accessible solution for the mitigation of water pollution in the Amazon region.