The preservation of fossil heritage constitutes an interdisciplinary challenge that involves geology, education, and the public communication of science. On the campus of the National University of Comahue, where fossils are exposed to the everyday environment, gaps in knowledge and limited dissemination regarding their value and legal protection are observed. In response to this issue, the present study aimed to evaluate the level of awareness and knowledge about fossils among different sectors of the community —university campus users, runners, and high school students— as well as to analyze the impact of an educational intervention on the social perception of fossil heritage.

The research was carried out under a mixed approach, through the application of surveys, interviews, and informative talks. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were examined through thematic coding. The results indicate that, although adults and university students possess a general awareness of the importance of fossils, their involvement and normative knowledge are limited. In contrast, high school students showed a significant increase in their knowledge and appreciation after participating in a guided educational instance.

Overall, the findings confirm the decisive role of geoscience education as a tool to strengthen social awareness and promote the preservation of fossil heritage. It is recommended to systematically incorporate heritage content into school, university, and community programs in order to foster an informed citizenship committed to its natural and cultural environment.

Soil degradation due to salinity and sodicity represents a global issue that limits agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. In this context, organic amendments such as compost offer a sustainable alternative for the restoration of halomorphic soils. This study was conducted on the university campus of the National University of Comahue, where the effect of organic compost on soil physical and chemical properties and plant growth was evaluated. An amendment composed of black soil, organic waste, and earthworms was prepared, and three treatments with different compost and halomorphic soil proportions were applied over two weeks, recording soil and plant variables every four days. The results showed that increasing compost proportions reduced salinity, improved soil structure and moisture retention, and promoted more vigorous plant growth. It is concluded that compost represents an effective tool for improving soil quality, promoting sustainable management practices, and reusing institutional organic waste, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal No. 11 and strengthening environmental education within the university environment.

This paper analyzes the potential of Grindelia chiloensis, a native species of arid environments, which was studied as a tool for mitigating erosion and desertification in degraded soils. The research was conducted in a sector of Parque Norte (Neuquén) with characteristics similar to those of areas affected by small-scale fires. Soil samples were collected, physicochemical parameters (pH, moisture, electrical conductivity, N, P, and K) were measured, and a germination test was performed under controlled conditions. The results show that the soil, despite its loss of vegetation cover, maintains adequate levels of fertility and stability. Germination reached 50%, confirming the adaptation of the species G. chiloensis to clay soils. The findings suggest that revegetation with native species represents an effective strategy to restore degraded soils and reduce erosion in arid and semi-arid environments.

The city of Neuquén is undergoing significant urban growth, which drives the demand for aggregates such as sand, gravel, and crushed stone, mainly used in construction. This demand leads to an intensification of extractive activities in both riverbank and terrestrial quarries, whose exploitation can cause significant impacts on the geological environment, such as erosion, ground instability, and alteration of overlying and underlying sedimentary systems. The present project aims to analyze these impacts from a geological perspective and to assess the degree of involvement of professional geologists in the planning, control, and monitoring of such activities, within the framework of the principles of responsible production and consumption established by SDG 12.

This paper addresses the awareness of geothermal energy within the university community of the University of Comahue (Universidad Nacional del Comahue, UNCo), within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. The study combined a quantitative-descriptive and educational-participatory approach through surveys conducted before and after a scientific outreach campaign that included printed brochures and digital infographics. The results showed a significant increase in the level of knowledge and an improvement in the perception of geothermal energy as a clean and safe source, along with a reduction in misconceptions about its environmental impacts. Likewise, a greater willingness to change opinions after receiving reliable information was observed, confirming the effectiveness of the implemented communication strategies. Overall, the findings demonstrate that scientific education within the academic environment is a key tool to promote social acceptance of renewable energies and strengthen the transition toward a sustainable energy model.

The research analyzes the relationship between the lack of urban planning and slope instability in the bardas of Neuquén, with the aim of identifying risk zones and assessing the social perception of danger. A mixed-method approach was applied, combining geospatial analysis in QGIS with surveys of local residents. The hazard and vulnerability maps revealed that the neighborhoods of Villa Ceferino, Melipal, and Islas Malvinas show a critical overlap between high geomorphological susceptibility and high social exposure. Despite this, 82% of respondents do not perceive their homes to be at risk, and 64% are unaware of the concept of mitigation, evidencing a significant gap between physical risk and social perception. The results highlight the need to incorporate geological and geomorphological criteria into urban planning and to implement education and monitoring campaigns that strengthen community-based risk management. It is concluded that the integration of technical tools and citizen participation is essential to move toward safer, more resilient, and sustainable urban development.

Soil degradation due to salinity and sodicity represents a global issue that limits agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. In this context, organic amendments such as compost offer a sustainable alternative for the restoration of halomorphic soils. This study was conducted on the university campus of the National University of Comahue, where the effect of organic compost on soil physical and chemical properties and plant growth was evaluated. An amendment composed of black soil, organic waste, and earthworms was prepared, and three treatments with different compost and halomorphic soil proportions were applied over two weeks, recording soil and plant variables every four days. The results showed that increasing compost proportions reduced salinity, improved soil structure and moisture retention, and promoted more vigorous plant growth. It is concluded that compost represents an effective tool for improving soil quality, promoting sustainable management practices, and reusing institutional organic waste, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal No. 11 and strengthening environmental education within the university environment.

Poster sobre energía geotérmica. Funcionamiento, ventajas y desventajas realizado por estudiantes de la Licenciatura en Ciencias Geológicas.

The city of Neuquén is undergoing significant urban growth, which drives the demand for aggregates such as sand, gravel, and crushed stone, mainly used in construction. This demand leads to an intensification of extractive activities in both riverbank and terrestrial quarries, whose exploitation can cause significant impacts on the geological environment, such as erosion, ground instability, and alteration of overlying and underlying sedimentary systems. The present project aims to analyze these impacts from a geological perspective and to assess the degree of involvement of professional geologists in the planning, control, and monitoring of such activities, within the framework of the principles of responsible production and consumption established by SDG 12.

The preservation of fossil heritage constitutes an interdisciplinary challenge that involves geology, education, and the public communication of science. On the campus of the National University of Comahue, where fossils are exposed to the everyday environment, gaps in knowledge and limited dissemination regarding their value and legal protection are observed. In response to this issue, the present study aimed to evaluate the level of awareness and knowledge about fossils among different sectors of the community —university campus users, runners, and high school students— as well as to analyze the impact of an educational intervention on the social perception of fossil heritage.

The research was carried out under a mixed approach, through the application of surveys, interviews, and informative talks. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were examined through thematic coding. The results indicate that, although adults and university students possess a general awareness of the importance of fossils, their involvement and normative knowledge are limited. In contrast, high school students showed a significant increase in their knowledge and appreciation after participating in a guided educational instance.

Overall, the findings confirm the decisive role of geoscience education as a tool to strengthen social awareness and promote the preservation of fossil heritage. It is recommended to systematically incorporate heritage content into school, university, and community programs in order to foster an informed citizenship committed to its natural and cultural environment.

Wildfires alter essential soil properties, affecting its structure, stability, and surface dynamics. These changes, linked to the sedimentary materials that compose the terrain, increase erosion and hinder vegetation recovery. The study was conducted in Parque Norte (Neuquén), on soil with characteristics similar to areas slightly affected by wildfires, with the objective of assessing its recovery capacity using Grindelia chiloensis as a bioindicator species adapted to arid environments. From a geological perspective, the research aims to understand how vegetation contributes to stabilizing surface materials and mitigating erosion and desertification processes.

The transition towards renewable energy sources stands as one of the main challenges and opportunities in the pursuit of global sustainability. Among these alternatives, geothermal energy emerges as a particularly valuable option due to its renewable, stable, and low-emission characteristics, aligning directly with the objectives of SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy (Tester et al., 2021). Despite these advantages, the global and regional implementation of geothermal energy remains relatively limited when compared to other renewable energies such as solar and wind sources. In this context, our project aims to promote awareness and understanding of geothermal energy among students and the academic community of Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina.

Póster presentado en "English Chair. Advances and Challenges of Geology in Argentina". Neuquén, 3 de Noviembre de 2025.

Mass movement processes (landslides, flows, rockfalls) pose a critical
risk to vulnerable urban areas. Their increased frequency is attributed
to natural factors and, crucially, to uncontrolled urbanization on
unstable slopes. This study advocates an integrated approach to risk
mapping and zoning using modern methodologies to guide mitigation
strategies and foster resilient cities.