Los metales se transportan, a nivel espacial y temporal, a través de la superficie del suelo y la atmósfera, convirtiéndose en un peligro para el medio ambiente y poblaciones vulnerables de las cuencas hidrográficas. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar fuentes y niveles de metales en sedimentos del agua en la microcuenca del río Huancaray en la región Apurímac (Perú), mediante la técnica de análisis por fluorescencia de rayos X (FRX) durante la época de secas y lluvias de los años 2018 y 2019. Los elementos detectados fueron K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb y Ba. Resalta la presencia de Zn, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni y As como elementos críticos en cada punto de la microcuenca del río Huancaray; las concentraciones son superiores a los límites permisibles; asimismo, los periodos de lluvia y seca no presentan diferencia significativa...

The removal of heavy metals from wastewater is an environmental challenge which demands the use of environmentally friendly materials that promote a circular economy. This study aimed to apply a novel composite of an activated nanoclay/hydrocolloid in the removal of heavy metals from wastewater. A composite blended under pressure was prepared with spray-dried hydrocolloid derived from Nostoc sphaericum algae and activated nanoclay in an acid medium and 1M NaCl. The composite and components were analyzed through infrared (IR), X-ray (XR), ζ potential, cation exchange capacity (CEC), particle size, and SEM images. The composite was subjected to the adsorption of heavy metals (Pb, As, Zn, and Cd) at pH 4.5 and the removal percentage, kinetics, and adsorption isotherms were evaluated. It was observed that the activated nanoclay and the composite that presented a particle size of around 400 ...

The avocado fruit is an agro-industrial product with high export demand in Peru due to its sensory and nutritional qualities, which can be affected during storage. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of the application of a coating formulated with potato starch (Solanum tuberosum ssp andigena), nopalmucilage (Opuntia ficus indica), and pectin on the physicochemical and physiological properties during the storage of Fuerte and Hass avocados. Samples were taken in their harvest state from the plantation in “Occobamba”, which is cultivated by the Avocado Producers Association in Chincheros, Apurímac, Peru. Physicochemical properties (titratable acidity, pH, total soluble solids) and physiological properties (weight loss, firmness, and color L* a* b*) were determined during 20 days of storage at 20 C. The elaborated films present high transparency and low aw values. In the coated avo...