Evaluación comparativa de la eficiencia de lavado de suelos en la Amazonía ecuatoriana para la remoción de contaminantes: Hidrocarburos, metales pesados y PFAS en suelos tropicales
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55892/jrg.v9i20.3033Keywords:
Soil washing; contaminated soil remediation; hydrocarbons and heavy metals; PFAS; Ecuadorian Amazon.Abstract
The present study develops a systematic review aimed at evaluating the efficiency of soil washing for the removal of contaminants in tropical soils, with emphasis on hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), with particular consideration of the environmental context of the Ecuadorian Amazon. The research was structured following the methodological guidelines of the PRISMA approach, through a systematic process of identification, selection, and critical analysis of relevant scientific literature. Initially, 120 potentially relevant studies were identified in academic databases. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria related to thematic relevance, availability of quantitative data, and methodological quality, six experimental and review studies were ultimately selected for comparative analysis. The results indicate that soil washing constitutes a highly efficient technology for contaminant removal, particularly for hydrocarbons and PFAS, reaching efficiencies above 80–95% under optimized conditions. The effectiveness of the process largely depends on key operational variables such as the type of washing agent, the liquid–solid ratio, pH, contact time, and the number of washing cycles. In the case of heavy metals, the literature highlights the use of chelating agents and surfactants that significantly enhance the mobility and extraction of these contaminants from soils. However, limitations were also identified, including potential impacts on soil quality and the generation of contaminated effluents that require additional treatment. It is concluded that integrating soil washing with biological remediation strategies represents a promising alternative for achieving more sustainable soil decontamination processes in tropical ecosystems such as those found in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
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