In this article we consider the methods of deterministic and probabilistic risk analysis regarding the presence of chemical contaminants in soil, water and air, with a broader meaning than usual for the latter, as we extended the probabilistic treatment to the parameters that influence the transport to a greater extent, in particular hydraulic conductivity and partition coefficient. These parameters, to which only one value is assigned, are considered here as random variables. The objective of the study reported herein was to demonstrate that application of the probabilistic method of risk assessment is preferable to the use of the deterministic method. Both methods yield contaminant removal levels that will reduce adverse effects on human health and the environment, but results from the deterministic method are typically more conservative than necessary, and are thus more costly to achieve. In addition, we found it essential to consider the importance of random variables (the parameters influencing the flow and the transport), such as the hydraulic conductivity and the partition coefficient, when assessing health risks. Both methodologies of health risk analysis, deterministic and probabilistic, were applied to a site in southern Italy, contaminated by heavy metals. The results obtained confirm the purposes of this study.

The most common reactive material used for the construction of a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) is zero valent iron (ZVI), however, its processing can generate corrosive effects that reduce the efficiency of the barrier. The present study makes a major contribution to understanding new reactive materials as natural and synthetic, easy to obtain, economical and environmentally friendly as possible substitutes for the traditional ZHV to be used as filters in the removal of three transition metals (Zn, Cu, Cd). To assess the ability to remove these pollutants, a series of batch and column tests were carried out at laboratory scale with these materials. Through BACH tests, four of seven substances with a removal percentage higher than 99% were prioritized (cabuya, natural clinoptilolite zeolites, sodium mordenite and mordenite). From this group of substances, column tests were performed where it is evidenced that cabuya fiber presents the lowest absorption time (≈189 h) while natural zeolite mordenite shows the highest time (≈833 h). The latter being the best option for the PRB design. The experimental values were also reproduced by the RETRASO code; through this program, the trend between the observed and simulated values with respect to the best reactive substance was corroborated.

The growing contamination of groundwater requires increasingly remediation. Among the different reclamation techniques of contaminated aquifers, recourse is frequently made to permeable reactive barriers (PRB). To build such barriers Zero Valent Iron (ZVI) is commonly used, which shows a good reactivity towards the most part of the heavy metals. However, owing to economic reasons, and to some problems that this substance produces, reactive substances usable in alternative to zero valent iron are constantly being researched. The present study takes into account the fibers of a vegetable substance, the cabuya, investigating its capacity to retain heavy metals. Specifically, among these, Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) were considered. The capacity of the fibers of cabuya to absorb heavy metals was verified in the laboratory, at first by batch tests and later by appropriate column tests. The same tests were carried out using also Zero Valent Iron. The results obtained for the cabuya vegetable fibers, showed a very high adsorption capacity of heavy metals and resulted very comparable to that of ZVI, without, however, showing the negative aspects of the latter. Some comparisons were also carried out with broom fibers, investigated in a previous study.

La metodología de despliegue de función de calidad (QFD) es aplicada para al diseño y comercialización del producto denominado “Cuy Faenado”. Se analiza la correlación matricial entre variables que finalmente son consolidadas en la denominada casa de la calidad. Se analizan los Requerimientos de los Clientes (RC), la evaluación competitiva, la correlación entre Características Técnicas (CT), las relaciones entre las necesidades de los usuarios versus las características de calidad, las correlaciones entre las CT de los productos de los competidores poseen. Además, se muestran las CT priorizadas para los procesos de crianza, faenado y comercialización a ser implementados en el producto. Finalmente, se cuantifican las CT para satisfacer los requerimientos del cliente.

El estudio de la variabilidad espacial de específicas magnitudes que caracterizan el suelo no saturado es muy importante para la evaluación de los fenómenos de contaminación. La Geoestadística es una herramienta útil para la estimación de la variabilidad espacial de los parámetros considerados. El objetivo de este estudio es mejorara la comprensión de la variabilidad espacial de la dimensión fractal en las curvas de retención de agua, mostrando de esta manera el comportamiento de este parámetro en los puntos muestreados y de manera particular en los puntos donde no existen muestras. La evaluación de la dimensión fractal se calculó por el análisis de escalamiento obtenido a partir de algunos modelos fractales y la posterior comparación entre los resultados correspondientes.