Agricultural industrial waste has demonstrated potential as a soil acidity corrector and fertilizer, in addition to reducing environmental impacts caused by inadequate waste disposal. Ornamental rock waste is a sustainable alternative as it contains essential elements for plant growth. (1) Background: this study aims to evaluate using marble waste in SENA and the Gallo Crudo Quarry in Colombia as an acidity mitigator in soils cultivated with maize (Zea mays) in a greenhouse. (2) Method: four treatments were applied: T0: without marble dust—MD; three doses of MD (T1: 1.1 Mg of MD ha⁻¹; T2: 2.2 Mg of MD ha⁻¹; and T3: 3.3 Mg of MD ha⁻¹). After 70 days, soil fertility analyses were carried out. (3) Results: The results show that the chemical properties of the soil improved with all treatments, mainly with T2, influencing the calcium (Ca), carbon (C), sulfur (S), and magnesium (Mg) contents. MD’s pH and Al + H values were higher than conventional treatments. The T2 treatment reduced soil acidity from 0.2 cmol + kg⁻¹ to 0.0 cmol + kg⁻¹ and increased pH to 7.91 compared to the control (5.4). The maize plants in the T2 treatment developed better, indicating that the dose of 2.2 Mg of MD ha⁻¹ can replace commercial limestone. (4) Conclusions: This agroecological technique is an innovative alternative in Colombia, replicable in areas with ornamental rock reserves, benefiting the agricultural economy and contributing to target the Sustainable Development Goals, which promote sustainability, responsible management of natural resources, and a reduction in environmental impacts.

Giardia duodenalis genotypes A and B have been reported in Colombia. The population consisted of 235 schoolchildren whose ages ranged from 2 to 10 yr of age from the municipalities of Soledad and Galapa in the department of Atlántico, Colombia. Fecal samples were obtained and then analyzed in triplicate using the sedimentation in formalin-ether (Ritchie's method) and direct examination techniques. Of the 235 fecal samples, 35 samples were positive for G. duodenalis; positive samples were concentrated in a sucrose gradient and sonicated for 3 cycles of 20 sec. DNA extraction was performed, and the parasites were genotyped by conventional PCR amplifying a region of the β-giardin gene. A general prevalence of G. duodenalis of 13.2% was found, and of these genotyped samples, 13 (56.7%) and 7 (20%) corresponded to genotype A, 1 (4.3%), and 3 (25%) corresponded to genotype B, and 9 (39.1%) and 2 (16.7%) were not defined, in the municipalities Soledad and Galapa, respectively. Additionally, 23 children were diagnosed with symptomatologic giardiasis, and 12 were asymptomatic; the most relevant symptoms were abdominal pain (7, 20%) and diarrhea (13, 56.7%). The nutritional status of children with Giardia genotypes A and B were as follows: 3 in a state of malnutrition (10%), 10 normal (33.3%), and 6 overweight and obese (20%) with genotype A, and 1 in a state of malnutrition (3.3%) and 3 normal (10%) with genotype B. The genotypes found in G. duodenalis did not show an association with nutritional status or with the clinical manifestations evaluated in schoolchildren.

Dependence on fertilizers limits the sustainability of tropical agriculture. Remineralization using rock byproducts offers a solution that is conditioned by the mineralogical–soil interaction. This study evaluated the agronomic and geochemical potential of a gabbro rock byproduct (GRB) as a bulk amendment in yellow maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation in Atlántico, Colombia. The specific objectives were (1) to characterize the mineralogy and geochemistry of the local GRB; (2) to quantify its neutralizing and fertilizing effect in an acidic Arenosol soil; and (3) to evaluate the biometric response of yellow maize (Zea mays L.) in a field trial. The trial was conducted in an acidic haplic Arenosol (pH 5.4) in 2023, with a 70-day cycle, comparing three management systems: M1 (control), M2 (47 Mg·ha⁻¹ GRB, seed type: ICA-109), and M3 (47 Mg·ha⁻¹ GRB, seed type: V-114). The assessed GRB, with 52.75% SiO₂ and 5.46% CaO, is rich in calcic plagioclase, clinopyroxenes, and zeolites. Application of GRB at 47 Mg·ha⁻¹ in treatment M3 coincided with marked changes in soil properties over the course of the trial, with pH rising from 5.4 to 6.4, cation exchange capacity from 5.0 to 12.1 cmol_c·kg⁻¹, and available phosphorus from 9.8 to 35.0 mg·kg⁻¹. Plants in M3 showed statistically significant increases (p < 0.001) in ear weight (median: 150 g vs. 60.5 g in M1) and in vegetative development. Because the trial was pseudo-replicated, used a high single-dose “shock-loading” rate, involved different maize genotypes across treatments, and covered only one 70-day cycle, these results should be interpreted as exploratory and site-specific. Even so, they indicate that GRB can act as an effective acidity corrector and slow-release multinutrient source under Arenosol conditions, with relevance for circular-economy strategies. Future work should evaluate agronomically doses, include replicated multi-cycle trials, and incorporate comparative and risk-assessment analyses.

Environmental perception is a powerful tool for identifying community needs and potential within their surroundings. This study assessed tourists' environmental perception regarding solid waste and its impact on the Hurtado balneary, located in Valledupar, Colombia. From May to July 2023, the investigation delved into the environmental attitudes and behaviors of 769 balneary users by employing a combination of observation, photographic documentation, and a comprehensive 21-question online survey. The findings unveiled compelling insights: an overwhelming 98.8% of participants acknowledged the adverse effects of solid waste on the environment, with an impressive 98% demonstrating a willingness to participate in waste management efforts. Alarmingly, 42.13% exhibited limited awareness of waste management practices, reflecting a lack of public interest and commitment (41.61%). Statistically significant disparities emerged: 59% of waste items were not appropriately disposed of in designated receptacles. Reasons for this included a lack of a sense of belonging (50.2%) and inadequate environmental education (45.6%). 96% expressed the need for river conservation signage, while 59.8% had not engaged in environmental training. The implications of these results extend beyond the Hurtado balneary, potentially informing solid waste management strategies in other aquatic environments. Furthermore, this investigation aligns with three critical Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 12, emphasizing responsible consumption and production; SDG 13, addressing climate action; and SDG 15, advocating for life on land and below water. Keywords: Tourism; solid waste; surface water; environmental management.