ENVIRONMENT

A green solution for soil contamination in Chile

Environmental and development challenges in Chile include more than 9,000 sites, including 600 in urban areas, that are or could be affected by industrial and agricultural pollution.

During his recent visit to the IDOM office in Chile, our colleague Germán Monge Ganuzas reflected on the urgent problem of soil and groundwater contamination that the country is experiencing.

Areas that were once destined for industrial and economic development are now giving way to a debt owed to nature and its inhabitants. In order to pay this debt, it is possible to regenerate the soil through the application of different remediation techniques, such as extraction and treatment, bioremediation and phytoremediation, among others.

However, Chile still lacks regulations that would help promote remediation. In 2009, the National Policy for the Management of Contaminated Soils was enacted. However, the Soil Framework Law is still in draft form and is currently undergoing congressional review. This lack of a legal framework hinders any remediation initiative. This is the case of Las Salinas in Viña del Mar or the project promoted by Ferrocarriles in Antofagasta.

In order to make progress in solving this problem, the Director of the Sustainable Soil Management Business Line suggests looking at the example of countries that have managed to develop robust legislation, studying the lessons learned and adapting this knowledge to the country’s reality. In the case of Chile, bioremediation appears to be one of the most appropriate techniques, given its climatic conditions and the origin of most of its pollutants, which are derived from hydrocarbons. The promotion of the use of this technique would not only have a very positive impact on the environment, but would also contribute to the alleviation of the housing deficit that the country is experiencing.

Bioremediation

Bioremediation is based on using microorganisms, such as native or genetically engineered bacteria, plants, and fungi, to remove contaminants from soil and associated groundwater and surface water and convert them to compounds that are harmless to human health and ecosystems.

Rhodococcus and Pseudomonas are two of the most common bacterial genera used in bioremediation. These microorganisms have a great metabolic diversity that allows them to transform and biodegrade compounds derived from petroleum, among others, and to use them as their sole source of carbon.

It is an ecological technique for the purification of contaminated soils and groundwater. The process is based on the natural action of living organisms, which makes it completely harmless. The orographic and climatological characteristics of Chile make bioremediation particularly effective. The availability of large areas, low rainfall and moderately high temperatures favor the growth of degrading microorganisms.

In conclusion, the challenge of soil contamination in Chile is a reality. It has a direct impact on the country’s economy, society and natural resources. Chile will be able to face this challenge and turn these “environmental liabilities” into opportunities with the impetus provided by the experiences of other territories in this field and the commitment of the institutions, especially those responsible for creating the necessary legal framework. This paradigm shift is not limited to the construction of new housing, infrastructure or green spaces that will improve the welfare of the population. It will also have a direct impact on innovation and the development of a scientific, technological, economic and social fabric.

More information in the media (Spanish):

País Circular® –  Oportunidades para la ciudad

El Mostrador – El desafío pendiente del saneamiento de suelos en Chile

SOYTV – Chile no cuenta con norma de suelos: ¿Qué significa y qué efectos tiene para el país?