Recovery of Contaminated Soil

Program Overview

The Recovery of Contaminated Soil program equips students with the knowledge and skills to study, analyze, and remediate contaminated soil, using multidisciplinary principles and practical case studies. Taught by experts in the field, the program prepares students for careers in contaminated soil recovery, including municipal technical advising, laboratory analysis, and teaching. It takes 6-9 months to complete and is offered with scholarship opportunities.

Program Outline

It's designed for two groups: individuals without a university degree seeking quality training and university graduates wanting practical specialization to enhance job prospects. The program aims to equip students with the tools to study the environment, conduct sampling and analysis, create hazard maps, and develop remediation plans for contaminated sites.

Specific Objectives:

• Prepare and execute soil decontamination in potentially contaminated sites.
• Evaluate the solubility of chemical elements in soil and apply appropriate remedial measures.
• Identify primary sources of potential soil contamination.
• Analyze physical, chemical, and biological processes altering soil components.
• Establish a foundation for successful degraded soil rehabilitation.

Outline:

The program consists of one topic with five chapters, including two appendices and practical case studies. The course covers theoretical, conceptual, and historical principles of contaminated soil recovery, along with organizational, social, and technological implications. The goal is to provide a comprehensive perspective on sustainable contaminated soil recovery through multidisciplinary topics.

Chapters:

Introduction Investigation Phase of the Potentially Contaminated Site Design and Implementation Phase of Sanitation and/or Recovery Techniques Final Control and Maintenance Phase Case Studies The program has 10 credits and takes 6-9 months to complete, depending on student dedication. Successful completion requires passing all evaluated activities and the final project (if applicable).

Teaching:

The program is distance learning, with no instructor-led classes and flexible enrollment. The teaching staff includes numerous professors from various universities, including:

• Dr. Ángel M. Álvarez Larena (Autonomous University of Barcelona)
• Dr. Roberto M. Álvarez (University of Buenos Aires)
• Dr. Óscar Arizpe Covarrubias (Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, Mexico)
• Dr. Isaac Azuz Adeath (Autonomous University of Baja California Sur, Mexico)
• Dr. David Barrera Gómez (Polytechnic University of Catalonia)
• Dr. Brenda Bravo Díaz (Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico)
• Dr. Rubén Calderón Iglesias (European University Miguel de Cervantes)
• Dr. Leonor Calvo Galván (University of León, Spain)
• Dr. Olga Capó Iturrieta (Research Institute in Agropecuarias, Chile)
• Dr. Alina Celi Frugoni (International Ibero-American University)
• Dr. José Cortizo Álvarez (University of León, Spain)
• Dr. Antoni Creus Solé (Dr. in Industrial Engineering)
• Dr. Juan Carlos Crubía García (University of León, Spain)
• Dr. Raquel Domínguez Fernández (University of León)
• Dr. Luis A. Dzul López (International Ibero-American University)
• Dr. Xavier Elías Castells (Director of the By-product Exchange of Catalonia)
• Dr. Milena E. Gómez Yepes (University of the Quindio, Colombia)
• Dr. Ramón Guardino Ferré (International Ibero-American University)
• Dr. Emilio Hernández Chiva (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC)
• Dr. Cristina Hidalgo González (University of León)
• Dr. Francisco Hidalgo Trujillo (International Ibero-american University)
• Dr. Víctor Jiménez Arguelles (Autonomous Metropolitan University, Mexico)
• Dr. Miguel Ángel López Flores (National Polytechnic Institute (CIIEMAD-IPN))
• Dr. Izel Márez López (International Ibero-American University)
• Dr. Carlos A. Martín (National University of the Littoral, Argentina)
• Dr. Isabel Joaquina Niembro García (Monterrey Institute of Technology)
• Dr. César Ordóñez Pascua (University of León)
• Dr. José María Redondo Vega (University of León, Spain)
• Dr. Gladys Rincón Polo (Simón Bolívar University, Venezuela)
• Dr. José U. Rodríguez Barboza (International Ibero-American University)
• Dr. Ramón San Martín Páramo (International Ibero-American University)
• Dr. Raúl Sardinha (Piaget Institute, Portugal)
• Dr. Héctor Solano Lamphar (International Ibero-American University)
• Dr. Martha Velasco Becerra (International Ibero-American University)
• Dr. Alberto Vera (National University of Lanús, Argentina)
• Dr. Margarita González Benítez (Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spain)
• Dr. Lázaro Cremades Oliver (Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spain)
• Dr. Pablo Eisendecher Bertin (Iberoamerican University Foundation in Chile and Paraguay)
• Dr. Kilian Tutusaus Pifarré (FUNIBER)
• Dr. (c) Karina Vilela (FUNIBER)
• Dr. (c) Erik Simoes (International Ibero-American University)
• Mr. Omar Gallardo Gallardo (University of Santiago in Chile)
• Ms. Susana Guzmán Rodríguez (Central University of Ecuador)
• Ms. Icela Márquez Rojas (Technological University of Panama)
The program director is Dr. Eduardo García Villena (International Ibero-American University (UNINI)).

Careers:

Potential career paths include:

• Technical advisor in municipal contaminated soil recovery.
• Work in a simple analysis laboratory.
• Teaching.

Other:

Soil contamination is defined as the presence of substances posing risks to ecosystems or human health at higher-than-normal concentrations. Soil acts as a protective barrier for hydrological and biological systems. Soil degradation stems from various chemical, physical, or biological causes. The program provides tools for environmental study, sampling, analysis, hazard mapping, and remediation plan creation. FUNIBER offers scholarships.