Use of Ulluctus Tuberosus and Oxalis Tuberosa as Natural Coagulants in the Treatment of an Environmental Liability, Huancayo - Peru

Abstract

Currently, multiple research efforts have been carried out focusing on the application of biodegradable coagulants as part of environmentally sustainable wastewater treatments, mainly due to their affordability and ease of access. This approach emerges in response to the rise in contamination at sites containing toxic metals that pose risks to both ecosystems and public well-being. For this reason, the objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Ullucus tuberosus and Oxalis tuberosa as eco-friendly coagulants in treating an environmental pollution site in Peru. The applied methodology involved a study of an applied nature, incorporating an explanatory level and experimental design, where water samples from various environmental sites were collected and treated using prepared solutions with concentrations of 5 ppm, 10 ppm, 15 ppm, 20 ppm, and 25 ppm of both coagulants. The findings showed that the most effective dose was 15 ppm of Ullucus tuberosus. Furthermore, the solution containing Ullucus tuberosus demonstrated higher efficiency in removing turbidity, chromium, cadmium, and lead contaminants, achieving removal efficiencies of 77.51%, 70.77%, 67.86%, and 69.1%, respectively. In conclusion, the use of these coagulants proved beneficial in reducing pollutants present in aquatic environments derived from environmental contamination in Huancayo.