Conference Agenda

The present study aimed to optimize the removal of turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS) through an electrocoagulation process assisted by a biocoagulant derived from Cicer arietinum, for gray water from a chemistry laboratory. To this end, a prototype electrocoagulation cell was constructed and implemented, with two aluminum electrodes and a steel cathode, applying a type of monopolar electrode configuration in parallel. The Response Surface Methodology with a Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used to evaluate the significant effect of the biocoagulant dose, water pH, and current intensity on the optimization of removal efficiency. The results show that the optimal values of the operating factors for turbidity removal efficiency are a biocoagulant dose of 1,000 mg/L, a pH of 5.09, and a current intensity of 0.70 A, achieving a maximum removal of 95.20%. For TSS removal, a biocoagulant dose of 1,000 mg/L, pH of 6.18, and current intensity of 0.70 A are used to achieve a maximum removal of 92.89%.

Carbon sequestration in livestock farming is essential for mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable production practices. In Honduras, the livestock sector occupies 78% of agricultural land and accounts for approximately 9% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The MI Biósfera project, funded by the European Union, is being implemented across several livestock farms in the municipality of Dulce Nombre de Culmí. This study aims to characterize livestock farm management, estimate their carbon sequestration potential, and assess their viability for entering carbon markets. To do so, a literature review was conducted on carbon sequestration potential in humid tropical forests and productive livestock systems. Based on this, carbon sequestration scenarios were developed according to the type of vegetation cover present in ten project farms. Productive and financial analysis showed that farms with greater tree cover or silvopastoral systems achieved higher sequestration rates and greater profitability. In addition, it was found that the regulated carbon market of the European Union offering a reference price of USD 70.00 per ton of carbon in February 2025 represents the most favorable option, provided that a Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) system is implemented.

The presence of microplastics (MPs) in liquid effluents has drawn increasing scientific concern owing to their ecological impacts and the limited efficacy of conventional treatment technologies. Electrocoagulation (EC) has emerged as a promising alternative for MP removal; however, few studies have addressed three practical aspects critical to scale-up: MP quantification, electrode consumption, and sludge generation. This study evaluates (i) the effectiveness of a mass-versus-turbidity approach for MP quantification, (ii) iron (Fe) electrode wear, and (iii) the concentration of EC-generated sludge. A synthetic effluent containing graded doses of polystyrene (PS) was treated in a previously optimized EC system using a 15-run experimental design with replication. The turbidity-based calibration showed an excellent linear relationship with MP mass (R² = 0.997), supporting turbidity as a reliable surrogate for MP concentration. Under optimal operating conditions, Fe electrode consumption was 0.122 kg m⁻³, and sludge production was 0.619 kg m⁻³. These results provide actionable metrics for process design and cost estimation. Future work should include comprehensive physicochemical and toxicological characterization of the generated sludge to inform valorization and potential reuse pathways.

The objective of this research is to demonstrate the correlation between microplastics, particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM10), and atmospheric conditions (precipitation, temperature, humidity, and wind speed). The study was based on articles indexed in Scopus and Web of Science (WOS). After using the PICO and PRISMA methodologies, 12 articles were selected for detailed analysis. These covered key aspects such as the physicochemical properties of atmospheric microplastics, sampling procedures, microplastic identification, and the use of statistical tools to evaluate correlations. A positive correlation was identified between atmospheric microplastics and PM2.5/PM10 through statistical analysis (Pearson, Spearman, linear regression, and Kruskal-Wallis), while no significant correlations were observed with meteorological conditions such as precipitation, temperature, humidity, and wind speed. The most common microplastics are polymers such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene, which are mostly medium-sized (101–500 µm), fibrous in shape, and transparent in color, characteristics that facilitate their suspension and transport over long distances. In addition, bibliometric analysis shows a significant increase in publications at present, with a predominance of contributions from Asia, especially China, reflecting growing global scientific interest in the subject. In conclusion, the results show that atmospheric microplastics should be considered alongside PM2.5/PM10 in air quality monitoring systems, given their common origin, similar aerodynamic behavior, and joint contribution to air pollution and potential impact on human health

The textile industry is one of the world's most polluting, especially in Asia, where wastewater discharge contributes to water pollution. Therefore, various methods for treating textile wastewater exist. The objective of this review is to identify these different wastewater treatment methods and analyze which are the most effective and environmentally friendly in removing pollutants and minimizing water pollution. The PICO method and keywords were used to formulate the research question and search the Scopus database, yielding 1479 articles. The PRISMA method was then used to select 46 articles that met the inclusion criteria. The results include an evaluation of different authors and their publications, along with a graphical analysis generated by VOSviewer showing the most prominent keywords. This study also reveals that advanced methods for treating textile wastewater are promising, while some conventional methods are becoming obsolete; however, barriers to implementing these methods exist.

The following analysis of the systematic review highlights the socio-environmental impacts resulting from mining between 2020 and 2025 (Latin America), taking into account it’s environmental, social, and regulatory consequences. Following the PRISMA guidelines and the PICO model, 142 articles were recorded in the Scopus database, of which 32 articles satisfactorily met the established inclusion criteria. Thus, the results confirm that mining (mainly gold and copper) causes severe contamination of water bodies, soils, and ecosystems, especially due to the presence of heavy metals such as mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd), which exceed international standards. Countries such as Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Chile, and Brazil are prime examples of this environmental dilemma, which directly harms public health and causes biodiversity loss. Similarly, the research reviewed shows flaws in mining waste management and poor environmental regulation, factors that increase the dangers to both the natural environment and communities. However, we have identified progress in the application of environmental recovery methods, such as the use of plants to purify soils and stabilization with basic compounds, along with initiatives aimed at more responsible and environmentally friendly mining. Finally, we highlight the importance of strengthening legislative frameworks, promoting public involvement, and strengthening collaboration between regions in order to harmonize economic growth with environmental protection and the safety of nearby populations.