Estudio de Necrosoles y suelos de cementerio

Vélez, Santiago Londoño; Gallo, Santiago Alonso Cardona; Monsalve, Timisay; Quiroz, Mary L; Castañeda, Darío; Terrazas, Alejandro; Sedov, Sergey

doi:10.15446/dyna.v86n211.80757

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 45 publications

(56 reference statements)

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“…The requirements of a coffin with linings to accommodate the body, the purchase of a land plot and the need of funerary services (e.g., for the handling of the coffin) make it expensive. Moreover, cemetery land space is needed and potentially noxious substances, such as embalming chemicals, metals, cytotoxic drugs and infectious agents are left to seep into the ground for years [40][41][42]. This translates into the creation of necrosols, a type of urban soil [43,44], characterized by distinctive structure, stratigraphy and geochemistry.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Litter from grave artefacts, such as hardwood, nails, textiles and concrete, is widespread, and scattered human bones are easily found in necrosols [47][48][49]. This poses a threat to public health by the potential contamination of water sources, and makes any requalification of the urban spaces (e.g., parks) difficult [40,50]. Environmentally wise alternatives to inhumation or entombment are "green-burial" methods, such as water cremation [39,51] and human-composting, also known as natural organic reduction [52][53][54].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Preliminary Taphonomical Comparison of the Decomposition Process in Simple Burials, Traditional Tombs and Aerated Tombs in an Urban Cemetery in Northern Italy

Guareschi

Magni

2022

Forensic Sciences

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In densely populated countries like Italy, cremation is promoted for the final disposition of the dead. However, many families still choose inhumation or entombment. In ordinary (traditional) tombs, bodies skeletonize slowly and partially, and often need a second disposal after the exhumation. The aim of this study was to experimentally test the functionality of a new type of tomb, defined as “aerated”. Aerated tombs feature an aerating system, absorbing materials and a purifying filter, which collectively maintain ventilation, process putrefactive fluids and gases and neutralize odors. In an experimental cemetery area with pristine soil, limbs of piglets were wrapped in cotton sheets and were either inhumed, placed in ordinary tombs or placed in aerated tombs. Following exhumation after planned time intervals (1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 months), all samples were macro- and microscopically examined. The inhumed samples were completely skeletonized by 9 months after burial, and after 12 months showed initial bioerosion in bone Haversian canals. The traditionally entombed samples developed progressive adipocere formation, whereas the samples disposed in aerated tombs became mummified. Despite this outcome, aerated tombs represent a more energy-effective, environmentally-friendly and economical choice when compared to ordinary tombs. A mummified body is lighter and drier than a body entombed traditionally and, as such, it is easier to exhume and quicker to cremate. Overall, in the absence of alternative burials, aerated tombs are more suitable than ordinary tombs for the final disposition of the dead in cemeteries with limited space. The results of this experiment add to the knowledge of taphonomical processes in temperate climates and urban environments, potentially benefitting the forensic and medico-legal community.

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