Ecological Engineering For Controlling WaterPollution In Latin America

Abstract

Ecological engineering is a discipline that combines ecology and engineering to design, construct, restore, and manage ecosystems. The designs of constructed wetlands (CWs) and anaerobic digesters (ADs) are two applications of ecological engineering to control water pollution. CWs are inspired by the ability of natural wetland ecosystems to improve water quality; they are low-cost systems that do not require fossil fuels inputs. ADs are closed systems without oxygen in which a sludge or liquid is degraded by the action of anaerobic bacteria, improving water quality and producing biogas. In Latin American countries, there is a great need of low-cost and -maintenance wastewater technologies that take advantage of the climatic conditions and biodiversity in the region. Conventional wastewater treatments are maintenance and energy intensive; consequently, their performances in the region have not been adequate. Ecological engineered systems such as CWs and ADs have a great potential to be developed in the region. However, ecological engineering as a discipline lacks identity and presence in Latin American universities and research centers. Despite the small development of ecological engineering in the region, CWs and ADs have been applied in the last 20 years to improve water quality. The majority of these systems have been guided and funded by ecological engineer groups from developed countries. It is concluded that ecological engineered systems are the best option to control water pollution in Latin America and it is necessary for the development of ecological engineering discipline in the universities and research centers of the region.