Abstract This study realized the exhumation and transfer of human remains buried in the cemeteries at Orobajo, Barbacoas and La Fortuna (Municipality of Sabanalarga, Peque and Buriticá respectively) within the framework of “Social Management” of the Ituango Hydroelectric Project and the program Integral Restitution of Living Conditions for communities. Methods and techniques from bioanthropology, forensic sciences, archeology and Soil Sciences were used. Cemeteries were characterized by unconventional burials; moreover, documentation of tombs and burial practices were not generalized, nor did they show patterns. In the field assessment, 2,883 pit tests and soil probes using a penetrometer were carried out over a total area of 2,288 square meters. A total of 349 skeletonized human remains were exhumed, almost double of what was expected; of these, 180 were from Orabajo, 151 from Barbacoas, and 18 from La Fortuna. Though the remains showed a great deal of deterioration, age at death was determined for 59% of cases, and sex identified in 49%. Personal artifacts and clothing items were recovered along with the bones in many cases. Remains from Barbacoas and La Fortuna were given over to communities, and final dispositions were made in sites previously agreed upon (cemeteries in Peque, Buriticá and Sabanalarga respectively).

Abstract This research was implemented in the Colombian Amazon forest area; to assess the effect of Tween-80® surfactant in the degradation of the Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) in bioremediation treatments under aerobic conditions in the laboratory and pilot-scale. One control treatment, Natural Attenuation (AT) and four biostimulation treatments with leonardite with four different dosages of Tween-80® were proposed. The efficacy of organic stimulators and nonionic surfactant in soil microbiota was studied at laboratory and pilot scales, the latter in a passive aeration reactor. The test that presented a better performance was carried out with a Convective Flow Reactor (CFR) at pilot-scale. The results showed that bioremediation strategies improved the natural degradation process; the best outcomes were obtained in a treatment that includes Leonardite and Tween-80® (1.5 g/L) with 52% TPH degradation in 80 days (d).Tween-80® produced an effect in TPH solubility, and increased the production of CO2 in distinctive bioremediation treatments in both periods. The kinetics of CO2 production showed that the system required a periodic addition of a co-substrate as well as an increase of soil microbiota through the addition of compost (pilot scale). In this stage more than 76% of contaminant was degraded in 60d.

Resumen Este artículo muestra las aproximaciones interdisciplinarias que integran conocimientos respecto a los suelos de cementerios contemporáneos y antiguos e inhumaciones clandestinas que producen interés científico bio-geo-arqueológico, forense reciente, lo anterior es lo que compila el estudio de los Necrosoles. Las investigaciones al respecto, plantean interrogantes pedogenéticos, antropogénicos, morfológicos, de características físico-químicas y microbiológicas. Así los Necrosoles se definen con precisión e incluyen en propuestas para sistemas taxonómicos locales y mundiales. Los suelos de los cementerios tienen propiedades físico-químicas y microbiológicas variables, antrópicas, temporalidades e insumos orgánicos e inorgánicos exógenos y predominancia de procesos de cambio ambiental. Actualmente, las necrópolis en las urbes y la proximidad a fuentes de agua e impactos de estos suelos en la salud pública y ambiente, se evalúan en investigaciones científicas. También aumenta el interés por las características de entierros ilegales de cuerpos humanos e integración de herramientas pedológicas y forenses. Revisamos los estudios de Necrosoles y el desarrollo de la investigación científica experimental ligada a efectos e implicaciones de entierros humanos.

Abstract This article shows the interdisciplinary approaches that integrate knowledge regarding the contemporary and ancient cemetery soils and clandestine burials that produce bio-geo-archaeological, recent forensic scientific interest, the above is what compiles the Necrosols study. The investigations in this regard raise pedogenetic questions, anthropogenic, morphological, physicochemical and microbiological characteristics. Thus, Necrosols are precisely defined and included in proposals for local and global taxonomic systems. Cemetery soils have variable chemical, microbiological, anthropogenic, temporal and organic physical and inorganic exogenous physical properties and predominance of environmental change processes. Currently, the necropolis in the cities and the proximity to water sources and these soils impacts on public health and environment, are evaluated in scientific research. It also increases interest in soil characteristics knowledge affected by illegal human bodies. We review Necrosols studies and scientific research origins and development in experimental approaches as than effects and implications of human body burials.