Diseño de un Biofiltro utilizando Lemna Minor (Lenteja de agua) y Eichhornia Crassipes (Jacinto de agua) para la captación de metales pesados (CD, CR Y PB) del Ramal B del estero salado Guayaquil-Ecuador

Abstract

The Estero Salado of Guayaquil, a crucial ecosystem on the Ecuadorian coast, faces increasing threats due to human activities and consequent water pollution. In this context, this research focused on developing an effective solution for the removal of heavy metals Cadmium Lead and Chromium from the Estero Salado. The main objective was to design a biofilter using two aquatic plants, Lemna minor and Eichhornia crassipes, to reduce the concentrations of heavy metals in the water. The biofilter design involved the construction of a structure with transparent acrylic and the careful layering of different materials, including activated carbon, sand, stones and down, to maximize removal efficiency. The results revealed that both L. minor and E. crassipes demonstrated high efficiency in the removal of heavy metals from Estero Salado water. In particular, high removal rates were achieved for cadmium, chromium and lead, exceeding 98% in most cases. In addition, the combination of both plants in the biofilter proved to work better in synergy, achieving a removal rate of 89.87%. These results have significant implications both for the conservation of the Estero Salado and for the well-being of the local communities that depend on this ecosystem. Phytoremediation, as a heavy metal removal strategy, stands out for its effectiveness and low cost, which makes it a valuable tool in the mitigation of water pollution.