Instituto de Ingeniería, UNAM > English > Research > Laboratories

Environmental Engineering

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This laboratory is part of the
Environmental Engineering Department.
It began operations in 1976.
The laboratory is run by
M in C Victoria Irma Navarrete López
It is located in Building 5,
II UNAM. Ciudad Universitaria

SCOPE

The main objectives are the development and transfer of technology to solve environmental problems of the country, and the training of human resources through basic and applied research on topics such as treatment, management and reuse of water (potable, wastewater, bodies of water), the characterization and remediation of contaminated soils, treatment of leachate from landfills, the effects of climate change on water quality, assessment and treatment of sludge and waste, waste assessment, environmental microbiology and automated control of processes.

ACTIVITIES

  • Some of the work done in these facilities has been the characterization of membranes coupled to an anaerobic UASB reactor for treating municipal wastewater.
  • The characterization of organic compounds in the aquifer of Tula.
  • Developing strategies for the remediation of wastewater discharges outside the Valley of Tula..
  • Utilization of lime material waste of the plant of Minera Mexico to recover water and to stabilize tailings slurry and for valuation purposes of the Cananea mine complex.

MAJOR WORKS AND RECENT PROYECTS

  • Currently conducting research to characterize and control an aquifer contaminated with sewage water.
  • Evaluation of the strength and viability of helminthic eggs under different moisture conditions.
  • Diagnosis and optimization process of elements of water treatment and sludge treatment plants at "Los Berros" and "Marin".
  • Sustainable technology for treating wastewater to be reused in agricultural irrigation
  • Study of microbial diversity and activity of an organophosphorus degrading sediments and agricultural soils in the chinampas (floating gardens) of Xochimilco.
  • Remediation of soil contaminated with hydrocarbons in the Dos Bocas maritime terminal using the bioremediation technique.

EQUIPMENT

  • Gas chromatography with electron capture detectors, flame ionization and mass, used to identify and quantify pesticides, organic compounds and emerging hydrocarbons , among others.
  • High performance liquid chromatograph to determine resolution of anions, cations and organic compounds.
  • Inductively-coupled plasma spectrophotometer, which analyzes using metals such as cadmium, mercury, arsenic, silver and lead.
  • Ultraviolet spectrophotometers, visible carbon and nitrogen analyzer.
  • Particle Analyzer.
  • Surface area analyzer.