https://athenea.autanabooks.com/index.php/revista <p>The <strong>Athenea Journal</strong> is published in collaboration with Venezuela and Ecuador, highlighting the multicultural values of our lands and showcasing Latin America’s scientific contributions to the world, where science becomes a universal language without borders. It is a space where the brightest minds from our nations come together to contribute to global knowledge, showing that in science there are neither limits nor barriers—only the shared desire to advance together. Athenea is not just a journal but a bridge connecting hearts and talents, proving that when we work together, borders fade away, and the future fills with infinite possibilities.</p> <p><strong>Athenea </strong>is a scientific journal oriented to Engineering Sciences. It is published by AutanaBooks SAS, with the institutional support of the Universidad Experimental "Antonio José de Sucre" (UNEXPO), vice-rectorate Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela. Its main administrative office is located in Venezuela, and its editor is PhD Franyelit Suárez.<br>The journal Athenea focuses on Engineering Sciences and aims to publish academic and scientific material of high research level and quality, produced by scientists and researchers in Latin America and the world to disseminate the work of teaching and research.</p> Autanabooks en-US Athenea Engineering sciences journal 2737-6419 https://athenea.autanabooks.com/index.php/revista/article/view/122 <p>The study analyzed the environmental performance and operational efficiency of wastewater treatment plants from an environmental engineering perspective, aiming to identify the impacts associated with their functioning and technological level. The methodology included direct observation of unit processes and a systematized analysis of operational information, applying technical criteria for environmental assessment and contaminant removal. The results showed significant differences among the plants, highlighting one system with suspended solids removal efficiency below 65\,\%, associated with high environmental impact, in contrast to others with efficiencies above 90\,\% and moderate effects. It is concluded that environmental performance depends on technological level, emission control, and integrated waste management.</p> Ruben Martinez Cabrera Julio Cesar Minga Maria Mercedes Paricoto Simon Copyright (c) 2026 Ruben Martinez Cabrera, Julio Cesar Minga, Maria Mercedes Paricoto Simon https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.es 2026-01-18 2026-01-18 7 23 8 17 10.47460/athenea.v7i23.122 https://athenea.autanabooks.com/index.php/revista/article/view/124 <p>The presence of heavy metals in water poses a critical risk to human health and ecosystems, particularly in cocoa-producing regions where agro-industrial and mining activities converge. This work provides a structured review on the use of cocoa residues as a platform for developing biosorbents, carbonaceous materials, and nanomaterials for heavy metal removal in aqueous systems. A search of scientific databases was conducted, and studies were selected based on clear material characterization and experimental evaluation in aqueous phase. The evidence was organized according to residue type and derived material, analyzing performance, advantages, and limitations. Research gaps were identified regarding the scarcity of tests in real-world matrices, limited information on regeneration and service lifetime, challenges in the treatment of Hg(II), and the lack of comprehensive assessments of sustainability and feasibility in Latin American contexts.</p> Maria Eugenia Ramos Flores Wilian Bravo Maritza Tatiana Chaglla Cango Gabriela Belen Urena Callay Maribel Lema Copyright (c) 2026 Maria Eugenia Ramos Flores, Wilian Bravo, Maritza Tatiana Chaglla Cango, Gabriela Belen Urena Callay, Maribel Lema https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.es 2026-01-22 2026-01-22 7 23 18 27 10.47460/athenea.v7i23.124