We conducted a diagnosis of the community issues in Teotitlán del Valle, focusing primarily on the scarcity of water for productive activities. The principal economic activity, rug production, utilizes clean water for dyeing with both natural and synthetic dyes, leading to the disposal of untreated inked water. Employing the Logical Framework approach, we proposed the development of a home filter to facilitate the reuse of inked water in vegetable cultivation. This project entails the evaluation of filtered water samples from homemade filters designed specifically for natural and synthetic dyes. Through experimental and observational assessments, we measured pH levels and coloration before and after filtration, noting variations with pH values ranging from 7 to 8. The filtered water was subsequently used for the germination of spinach and radish seeds, with further experimentation planned for other appropriate vegetables. The objective of this project is to establish a sustainable system that enhances family economies and nutrition, contributes to environmental conservation, and provides a viable water reuse strategy for the community.

The Gulf of California is confronted with grave perils stemming from pollution generated by the productive activities transpiring in the adjoining basins. This study posits the implementation of a source-to-sea approach, aiming to comprehensively grasp the intricate interplay between inland and marine waters. To this end, an active investigation into the ramifications of shrimp farming in Bahía de Kino, Sonora, is underway. While aquaculture furnishes substantial economic and food security advantages, it also engenders pollution and necessitates substantial water usage. Addressing this predicament necessitates a solution that contributes to enhancing production practices by means of technology adoption and the active involvement of individuals. Hence, the primary objective of this project entails the development of a demonstrative initiative concerning the utilization of biofloc technology, which serves to curtail water consumption and pollution by facilitating the establishment of a transfer program to foster the implementation of said technology. The anticipated outcomes encompass a discernible reduction in the influx of contaminants into the sea, thereby safeguarding the marine ecosystems within the Gulf of California.

By 2050, if immediate action is not taken, 12 billion tons of plastic will end up in landfills or in the environment, especially in bodies of water, impacting the health and well-being of people and ecosystems.

Currently, traditional PET recycling and degradation technologies are slow and polluting. Given this, an alternative is the use of enzymes produced by microorganisms, however, their sensitivity to high temperatures limits their industrial application and in bioremediation.

By analyzing about a million protein sequences found in metagenomes from hydrothermal sites, this project discovered two thermostable PET-degrading enzymes that can be used in industry.

The San Pedro River, located in the border of Mexico and Guatemala, is of great importance to the Mayan culture, connects a wide wetland network, and is a revenue source to local communities, but is being affected by pollution and the growth of aquatic weeds. The rural border communities also face the scarcity of commercial fertilizers, which hinders their participation in productive programs. Here, we studied the potential use of aquatic weeds such as Eichhornia crassipes, P. stratiotes, and Salvinia molesta, to produce a biofertilizer. After performing physicochemical analysis, germination, and growth tests, we scientifically confirmed that the Biophyte fertilizer is safe and adequate for use by farmers. Finally, we also worked along the community to create know-how and awareness.

Mazahuas are an indigenous group that lives in a small area in Central Mexico and have accumulated centennial knowledge on the use of plant substrates as cleansing agents. In this project, students interviewed the Mazahua community, documented the artisanal soap making process, and compiled a list of seven substrates, such as soda, sanacoche and wood ashes, used by the Mazahuas in the elaboration of traditional natural biodegradable soaps. Biodegradability and substrate performance as cleansing agents were assessed by performing phytochemical analysis, concluding that these soaps comply with their purpose as detergents while having a lower environmental impact. Preservation of the Mazahua culture can provide an alternative to the use of commercial detergents, one of the main sources of water pollution.

In this project we present a study of the polluted water from two important water bodies in the Mexico-USA border: Lake Salton Sea (California) and Mexicali’s Lagoon (Baja California). We analyze the reaction of extremophile microorganisms (tardigrades) to pollution in order to evaluate its possible use as bioindicators of water quality. We have found that the resistance properties of tardigrades to extreme conditions become them excellent candidates to use them in polluted environment studies. Based on the tardigrades survival in the samples water, our results show that pollution is higher in Salton Sea than Mexicali’s Lagoon. Also we propose a nanotechnological solution for this problem using extremophiles unique capabilities.

The life powder is made for people with low resources and without drinking water. In Quintana Roo, 96,000 people live without water in their homes, a figure that increased compared to 2014 when the number was 87,600, according to the latest figures of Coneval 2016. Our product is a flocculant and disinfectant powder made of tamarind, moringa and acacia. Our goal was to create a powder based on natural products and easy access. We measure the disinfecting and flocculating power of the powder using cenote water. Our powder can disinfect gray water and it is very cheap. It can have a positive impact on rural communities by giving them the possibility of improving the quality of their local water.

Water footprint of bioplastic ellaboration from waste of corn, biodegradation and preservative effect on vegetables

There are many water treatment methods to eliminate fluoride but these methods are expensive for Mexico and ….