Small-scale and household low-cost technologies to provide water free of arsenic for drinking purposes, suitable for isolated rural and periurban areas not connected to water networks in Latin America are described. Some of them are merely adaptation of conventional technologies already used at large and medium scale, but others are environmentally friendly emerging procedures that use local materials and resources of the affected zone. The technologies require simple and low-cost equipment that can be easily handled and maintained by the local population. The methods are based on the following processes: combination of coagulation/flocculation with adsorption, adsorption with geological and other low-cost natural materials, electrochemical technologies, biological methods including phytoremediation, use of zerovalent iron and photochemical processes. Examples of relevant research studies and developments in the region are given. In some cases, processes have been tested only at the laboratory level and there is not enough information about the costs. However, it is considered that the presented technologies constitute potential alternatives for arsenic removal in isolated rural and periurban localities of Latin America. Generation, handling and adequate disposal of residues should be taken into account in all cases.
In this work, the cultivation of river shrimp was implemented through intensive use of solar radiation for the sustainable development of the Camarones, a village in Chile. An aquaculture production plant was built under water recirculation to produce 8000 k of river shrimp and rainbow trout per year, in a 25:75 ratio, respectively. This was developed taking into account (1) the concept of how to help resilient communities, considering the principles of the circular economy; (2) that the cultivation of these species will use solar water treatment technology to reduce arsenic content present in the natural waters of the Camarones River; and (3) how to add value to the residues obtained from the production plant for better agriculture and to have water to preserve the ecosystem. In addition, this initiative will rely on solar energy and radiation to produce electrical energy and a photochemical reaction to remove arsenic from the water. This work complies with 10 of the 11 principles of the Circular Economy, making it a potential alternative for all areas of the world that have similar characteristics.
In the region of Arica and Parinacota, Chile (South America), concerned about the environment, the use of brine from a reverse osmosis plant was considered as irrigation water, which is generally discharged into the sea, sewers, or nearby rivers. In this sense, the integrated management of this waste was studied under the 3 principles and 11 strategies of the circular economy, for which it will be used to produce halophilic fodder (Atriplex nummularia), supporting the sustainability of livestock farmers in the sector. As for the results, it was estimated that with 86,400 Lh-1 in 20 days of brine, 400 A. nummularia plants would be irrigated, with an energy consumption of 31,319 kWh per day, through a photovoltaic system. In addition, of the 11 strategies of the circular economy, this study complies with 9 of them. It is noteworthy that the combination of brackish water desalination technologies and solar energy to produce A. nummularia would avoid the production of 1.5 tons of CO2. Finally, this study opens potential opportunities for future research, for the implementation of this type of project in rural communities, considering an optimization in the management of saline waste and water.
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