EFFICIENCY OF BRASSICA RAPA SUBSP. OLEIFERA FOR THE REDUCTION OF LEAD AND CADMIUM IN SEWAGE SLUDGE, AN ALTERNATIVE WITH A FOCUS ON LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

The objective was to evaluate the efficiency of WILD TURNIP (Brassica rapa subsp. oleiferous) in the reduction of lead and cadmium in the sewage sludge of the water treatment plant of the Penipe canton - Chimborazo province, as well as the physical and chemical characterization of the residual sludge in three experimental units (EU) before, during and after the reduction process with Brassica Rapa Subsp. oleiferous. This research applied aprevious tratamiento of the residual sludge to be disposed in three cells built called: UE1 (sludge), UE2 (mud + plant tissue) and UE3 (mud + plant tissue + fertile soil); predominating the descriptive observation and the behavior of the phenomenon de study, where parameters such as humidity, temperature, pH and organic matter, in addition to the vegetative growth of the species. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry made it possible to analyze heavy metals (Cd and Pb) in the plant tissue and soil of the experimental units; where it was identified that the plant species studied managed to reduce 46.09% of cadmium and 5.92% of lead in 247 days of treatment in experimental unit 2, which contained the residual sludge and germination of the plant species, in addition to generating less leachate of the pollutant because its concentration of organic matter was lower, The humidity was considered relatively optimal, which prevented the dissolution of contaminants, and made possible the mobility of cadmium and lead to plant tissue. Therefore, the use of the plant species in an in-situ environment is recommended because it allows to reduce the cost of environmental control and monitoring, in addition to providing a spontaneous vegetative growth.