Conference Agenda

The treatment of industrial wastewater is a critical environmental problem due to the increase of chemical and biological pollutants generated by growing industrialisation, which has led to an urgent need for efficient solutions. This article aims to critically analyse adsorption as a predominant technology in the treatment of these effluents, evaluating its effectiveness, sustainability and feasibility compared to conventional methods. The research was carried out through a systematic review of the scientific literature, using the Scopus database, applying the PICOC methodology and the PRISMA method to select relevant studies published between 2017 and 2024. The main results indicate that adsorption is highly efficient in removing various pollutants, including heavy metals, dyes and organic compounds, with efficiencies of up to 100% in some cases, the most effective adsorbents being activated carbon, zeolites and biosorbents. The findings indicate that adsorption is a versatile and operationally simple technology, which makes it attractive for resource-constrained industries; however, it faces challenges such as the cost of adsorbents and the need for regeneration, which drives research towards the development of more efficient and sustainable materials.

Arsenic contamination, from natural and anthropogenic sources, is a critical problem affecting water quality, with serious risks to human health, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. This study systematically reviews the use of fruit waste as a biosorbent for arsenic removal, highlighting its potential as an economical and sustainable alternative to other technologies. Through a literature search in SCOPUS, 15 relevant publications were analysed, complemented with bibliometric studies processed using VOSviewer. The results show removal efficiencies ranging from 6% to 92%, with lemon and passion fruit peels being the most effective due to their abundance of active functional groups and porous structure, while wastes such as apple and banana showed lower capacities; although chemical and physical modifications significantly improve performance, heterogeneity in waste composition and competition with other pollutants limit their applicability on a large scale. It is concluded that bioadsorption not only offers a sustainable solution to the arsenic problem, but also fosters the circular economy through the valorisation of organic wastes, requiring further efforts to standardise treatments and expand its industrial viability.

A current challenge in civil engineering is that infrastructure projects are sustainable throughout their life cycle, thus contributing to the sustainable development of the country. Peru is a country where economic investments in road infrastructure projects are increasing more and more, so there is a challenge to integrate sustainability into pavement infrastructure projects. Currently, Peru lacks a model that evaluates the sustainability of pavement infrastructure projects in its mountainous areas, whose temperatures are extreme and with intense rainfall due to its altitude and rugged topography. The objective of this research is to select a reference evaluation model, based on a comparative documentary analysis of three existing sustainability evaluation models that are applied to pavements in the different phases of their life cycle and to carry out a critical analysis of the reference model focusing on its capacity to evaluate pavement infrastructure projects in a context such as the Peruvian mountainous areas. The method used is deductive, with a qualitative approach, descriptive level, framed in a non-experimental, documentary, transversal design. In the research, a comparative analysis of three certified sustainability assessment models such as CEEQUAL, IS RATING SCHEME and GREENROADS was carried out throughout the life cycle phases and in various dimensions and key indicators. As a reference model, it was determined that the GREENROADS model is the most suitable to evaluate the sustainability of pavement infrastructure with conditions in the mountains of Peru, given its technical and specialized approach to pavements and its comprehensive sustainability assessment in extreme conditions.

This research analyses the use of recycled materials as a sustainable solution for pavement construction, utilizing plastics and Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). The aim is to reduce both the environmental impact and the costs associated with pavement construction by utilizing waste materials that would otherwise pollute the environment. The study is conducted in the Arequipa region of Peru, where the mechanical and physical properties of the mixtures and their economic viability were evaluated. The results aim to offer viable alternatives to improve the durability and sustainability of road networks, while also promoting the efficient recycling of plastic and asphalt waste, thus contributing to the reduction of pollution and the development of sustainable infrastructures.

Cigarette butts are among the most prevalent solid waste materials found on urban streets. Composed of key components such as filters, tobacco remnants, and wrapping paper, millions of these CBs are discarded onto sidewalks, eventually entering stormwater systems and reaching surface water bodies, with the ultimate destination often being the ocean. Coastal ecosystems serve as repositories for cigarette butt waste, posing significant environmental challenges due to the presence of toxic compounds and the complex degradation process. This directly impacts the sanitary and ecological quality of beach environments. The study aimed to evaluate the potential environmental impact of CBs disposal on beaches through the physical, chemical, and microbiological analysis of cigarette butts and their degraded fibers, which result from decomposition. Findings revealed the presence of microorganisms, including Escherichia coli and Clostridium species, highlighting a potential risk to human health.

Urban mobility is currently being challenged to become more sustainable. In this sense, decision-making seeks to choose the best alternatives based on evidence. To this end, the development of indicators and indices serves as a tool for evaluating the initial situation and the impact of new projects. The present study focuses on developing a sustainable mobility index for the campuses of the Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS) in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, based on the analysis of indicators related to non-motorized means of transport, electric micro-vehicles and use of public transport. After collecting data and performing the calculations, it was determined that the Alem campus obtained a value of 0.724 for the index, while Palihue reached 0.458, indicating that Alem has a 58% higher level of sustainable mobility. This is due to a greater number of bicycles and bus lines in the Alem campus area. While it is suggested to improve pedestrian infrastructure and increase bus lines in Palihue, a higher use of electric micro-vehicles was observed in this campus. The analysis carried out in this work seeks to collaborate in the decision-making process of sustainable mobility policies to be applied in both campuses, which can have a positive impact at the city level, considering that university environments are fundamental to generate sustainable habits in the community.

Abstract-. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of attitudes towards sustainable development on attitudes towards entrepreneurship in university students. A quantitative approach with a correlational-causal design was used, analyzing a sample of 100 students from a private university. Two validated questionnaires were used: one to assess attitudes towards sustainable development and the other to measure entrepreneurial attitudes in five key dimensions. Analysis using ordinal logistic regression showed that the model explained 46.4% of the variability in entrepreneurial attitudes (Nagelkerke's Pseudo R² = 0.464). The results showed that more favorable attitudes towards sustainable development strengthened entrepreneurial attitudes by increasing risk propensity and reducing change aversion. This indicates that a greater orientation towards sustainability enhances key competencies for entrepreneurship. It was concluded that commitment to sustainability not only promoted greater environmental and social awareness, but also fostered an entrepreneurial mindset, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Keywords: sustainable development, entrepreneurship, attitude, higher education.