Microplastics are distributed in the environment and are considered emerging pollutants because they are not regulated by legislation. This article aims to know the current state of knowledge regarding microplastic pollution in coastal areas of Colombia. Therefore, a detailed search was carried out in databases such as Scopus, Google Scholar, and university repositories collecting scientific and academic information published between 2000 and March 2022. As a result of the review, the presence of microplastics in coastal areas of Colombia was identified, particularly in the water, sediments, and fish, thus evidencing the contamination in coastal ecosystems, where the Caribbean coast is the area with the highest amount of microplastics in sediments, especially Cartagena (249-1387 particles/m²) and Santa Marta (144-791 particles/m²). It was also found that of 302 species of fish, 7% contained microplastics in the Ciénaga Grande of Santa Marta. In the studies, on the other hand, it was observed that there is no standardized methodology; each researcher chooses a different approach according to the scientific literature. The studies showed that the most abundant microplastics were secondary microplastics, of which polypropylene and polyethylene are predominant due to their different applications in society. This review will serve as a baseline for future research on microplastics in coastal areas of Colombia and will identify the challenges and realities of the country in the face of these emerging pollutants.

Se evaluó el aporte de las plantas acuáticas Pistia stratiotes y Eichhornia crassipes en el tratamiento del agua residual municipal (ARM) de la ciudad de Riohacha en Colombia. Se estableció un diseño experimental de un factor (plantas) y seis niveles que corresponden a los cinco tratamientos y un control. Se instalaron seis microcosmos con capacidad de 84,4 L que funcionaron a condiciones ambientales. De acuerdo a la prueba de Dunnet, no existe diferencia significativa entre los tratamientos y el control, por tanto no hay un aporte significativo de las plantas en la remoción de los contaminantes. Sin embargo, una pequeña diferencia en la remoción puede satisfacer las exigencias legales. Las máximas eficiencias de remoción se presentaron en los microcosmo con 100% y 50% cobertura de Pistia stratiotes, excepto DBO₅ que se presentó en el sistemas con 50% de cada planta.

Este artículo compara diversos índices de calidad del agua (ICA) aplicados en 235,3 km del río Ranchería, La Guajira-Colombia. La comparación de los ICA se realizó directamente con los valores numéricos de los índices discretizados en cinco rangos iguales (índices brutos) y con sus calificaciones, es decir los juicios ambientales (también en cinco clases) asociados a esos valores. La coherencia entre parejas de índices se analizó en ambos casos con el coeficiente de correlación de Spearman y la raíz del error cuadrático medio (RMSE). Se obtuvo mayor coincidencia, mejor correlación y menores desviaciones en el caso de los índices brutos. Este hecho evidencia la carencia de la relación entre los valores de los índices y su calificación. Se determina por tanto la necesidad de llevar a cabo un ejercicio de intercalibración para asegurar la coherencia entre los distintos índices.

Slaughterhouse wastewater is characterized by high concentrations of organic matter. This creates a need to explore methods for its treatment before discharge. This study evaluated the efficiency of an integrated treatment process consisting of a laboratory-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor and a pilot-scale horizontal subsurface flow wetland. This treatment was used for (i) the removal of organic matter through anaerobic–aerobic microbiological processes, (ii) the conversion of organic matter from hydraulic processes, and (iii) for bioremediation and phytoremediation. The treatment system was evaluated at hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 7.5, 5.0, and 2.5 d; during the investigation, the influence of the HRTs on the removal efficiency of the system was evaluated. High efficiencies of 85% and 75% were obtained for COD_T and BOD, respectively, at an HRT of 7.5 d. The highest overall efficiency for the removal of total solids was observed at an HRT of 2.5 d. The results obtained confirm the feasibility of implementing the suggested system as an alternative for the adequate and sustainable treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater, and the system can be applied to slaughterhouses with similar conditions to those in this study.

The high water scarcity affecting the indigenous populations of the department of La Guajira, in northern Colombia, makes them vulnerable to climate change and threatens their livelihoods. Through this research, a climate change adaptation model was implemented in an indigenous community composed of 23 families and 120 children from an educational institution. The methodology of community-based adaptation (AbC) and participatory rural assessment were developed on key factors such as hygienic habits, water use and exploitation, and food subsistence, where a demonstration plot was evaluated with different irrigation systems. Water quality was evaluated in the supply and distribution systems through the Risk Index of Water for Human Consumption (IRCA). A solar photovoltaic system was installed for solar pumping and windmill. The results showed that 88% of the community consumes less than 50 L/person*day, a lower amount than that recommended by the WHO (50 to 100 L/person*day), to meet the vital needs. The IRCA recorded values of 0.0, except in a sample taken at the collection site with a value of 7.21 due to the presence of total coliforms. The solar-powered drip irrigation system was more efficient allowing water saving and the photovoltaic system was viable for the water supply. The community appropriated this technology aware of the impact of climate change and the need to take action for its mitigation and adaptation. La alta escasez hídrica que afecta las poblaciones indígenas del departamento de La Guajira, al norte de Colombia, las hace vulnerables al cambio climático y amenaza su subsistencia. En esta investigación, se implementó un modelo de adaptación al cambio climático en una comunidad indígena, integrada por 23 familias y 120 niños, de una institución educativa. Se desarrolló la metodología de Adaptación basada en Comunidades (AbC) y la evaluación rural participativa en factores claves, como hábitos higiénicos, uso y aprovechamiento del agua y subsistencia alimentaria, donde se evaluó una parcela demostrativa, con distintos sistemas de riego. Se evaluó la calidad del agua en los sistemas de suministro y de distribución, mediante el Índice de Riesgo de la Calidad del Agua para Consumo Humano (IRCA). Se instaló un sistema fotovoltaico híbrido de bombeo solar y molino de viento. Los resultados mostraron que un 88% de la comunidad consume menos de 50 L/persona*día, cantidad menor a la recomendada por la OMS (50 a 100 L/ persona*día), para satisfacer las necesidades vitales. El IRCA registró valores de 0,0, excepto en una muestra tomada en el sitio de acopio, con valor de 7,21, debido a la presencia de coliformes totales. El sistema de riego por goteo solar fue más eficiente, permitiendo el ahorro de agua y el sistema fotovoltaico fue viable para el abastecimiento del recurso hídrico. La comunidad, se apropió de la tecnología, conscientes de la incidencia del cambio climático y la necesidad de adoptar medidas para su mitigación y adaptación.