The National University of Avellaneda (UNDAV) is conducting a study on the capacity of industrial hemp to remove heavy metals in the soils and banks of the Matanza-Riachuelo Basin.
The project uses the technique of phytoremediation, which consists of using plants capable of stabilizing or degrading contaminants in soils, waters, and sediments.
With more than 10,000 tons of waste daily from industrial discharges, sewage, and solid waste, the initiative seeks to mitigate an environmental crisis that has been going on for over half a century.
The decontaminating power of industrial hemp
Industrial hemp, a variety of Cannabis sativa, is cultivated to produce textiles, paper, construction materials, and soaps.
In addition to its commercial applications, it has a great phytoremediation power, capable of:
- Absorbing heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic.
- Purifying wastewater.
- Reducing air pollutants.
“This plant is key to decontaminating the soil and improving water quality in the Basin”, explained Liliana Elsegood, Secretary of Extension of UNDAV, in an interview with the UNQ agency.
Experiments to evaluate its effectiveness
The study is being carried out in a university greenhouse, where they have placed:
- 20 pots with contaminated and clean soil.
- 8 beds with intensive hemp crops.
Researchers are analyzing the metal concentration in the soil before and after the harvest to determine which contaminants are absorbed by the plant.
They also seek to identify in which plant organ (roots, stems, leaves) heavy metals accumulate.
A sustainable method for environmental recovery
Phytoremediation is a technique with low cost and minimal environmental impact, used in:
- Areas affected by mining.
- Oil spills.
- Industrial and radioactive waste.
Industrial hemp has proven to be a highly efficient species in these processes in other countries.
Strategic partnerships and institutional collaboration
The study is supported by:
- Acumar (Matanza-Riachuelo Basin Authority).
- Ministry of Environment of the Province of Buenos Aires.
- Ideal Avellaneda, Cooperativa Lara and the company Ligenoy Argentina SRL.
The environmental challenge of the Riachuelo
Historically, the basin has been treated as a dump, receiving waste from:
- Meatpacking plants, tanneries, and factories.
- Untreated sewage discharges.
- Floatable waste such as abandoned cars and ships.
Today, treatment plants help reduce pollution, although there are still populations without access to sewage networks.
The importance of environmental control and management
From Acumar, efforts are made to:
- Monitor industries to prevent new sources of pollution.
- Finance projects to expand sewage and drinking water networks.
- Clean up dumps and waterways.
Towards a cleaner future
The use of industrial hemp as an ecological solution could represent a key step towards the recovery of the Riachuelo.
The results of the study will help define strategies for sustainable and effective decontamination.
