Contaminación y toxicidad de las aguas residuales de las rallanderías del Norte del Cauca, Colombia

Abstract

Cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz, is a shrub known by the natives of tropical America as the “tree of the life” by the nourishing qualities of its roots, which are very rich in carbohydrates in starch form (25.3%). Amazonian people developed artisanal techniques to consume these tubers without the inherent risks due to the presence of cyanogenic glycosides (i.e. linamarin and lotaustralin). At the moment, cassava consumption, processing and crop have been extended to all the tropical zones. Since 1998, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), according to FAO, has led a collaborative effort aimed at developing a global strategy to promote cassava as an important staple food and income source for its producers. One important goal of the effort is to spur rural industrial development that will increase work opportunities and raise incomes of producers, processors and traders. Sour starch is obtained by small or medium processing units, which are commonly known in Colombia as “rallanderías” (RALLs), which use cassava roots as raw material. Their wastewaters could contribute high organic materials and cyanides (CN- ) to receiving streams. CNis toxic for the aquatic flora and fauna at very low exposures to air, water, or food, as it disrupts respiratory processes if it is absorbed...