The arsenic contamination in freshwater sources is a persistent threat in various regions of Chile. Although it often goes unnoticed, it directly affects communities that depend on surface and groundwater for daily consumption.
In response to this scenario, science proposes alternatives that combine innovation and environmental care. Thus, a new method based on seaweed opens a sustainable path to address this structural problem.
The proposal is based on principles of circular economy and seeks to reduce health risks without generating negative impacts on the environment.
Science, seaweed, and circular economy
The development consists of a biochar obtained from Macrocystis pyrifera, a brown algae abundant on the coasts of Chile. Through an oxygen-free thermal process, the biomass is transformed into a carbonized material with high adsorption capacity.
Then, this biochar is activated with iron, enhancing its efficiency to retain arsenic present in freshwater. In this way, a low environmental impact input with high sanitary value is generated.
Additionally, the innovation was registered as a patent, protecting both the material and its production process and application in filtration systems.
Territories affected by arsenic
The arsenic problem is closely linked to natural geological conditions. In areas like the Altiplano-Puna, intense volcanic activity promotes the release of this metalloid from the earth’s crust.
From there, the contaminant moves through rivers, streams, and groundwater. Therefore, its presence does not depend on direct human activity, but on long-standing natural processes.
In the Antofagasta Region, although cities have treated water, the situation is different in rural areas, where safe access remains limited.
Health consequences of arsenic
Exposure to arsenic in water has immediate and cumulative effects. In the short term, it can cause gastrointestinal disorders such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
However, the greatest risk appears with chronic exposure. In the long term, arsenic can cause skin lesions, neurological alterations, and cardiovascular diseases.
Furthermore, there is a strong association with various types of cancer and with metabolic disorders such as diabetes, even at relatively low concentrations.
A technology with social impact
The seaweed-based proposal aims to transform a natural resource into a concrete public health tool. By reusing available biomass, it reduces waste and generates local solutions.
Currently, the development is progressing towards the construction of adsorption filters to evaluate their performance in real conditions. Thus, it aims for an effective implementation in affected territories.
In short, this technology integrates science, nature, and sustainability, offering an innovative response to one of the most urgent environmental challenges related to drinking water.
