Diseño de un proceso biológico como medida de remediación de las aguas del Río el Rosario de la ciudad de Quito

Abstract

The project focuses on the characterization of El Rosario river’s waters, and it has as purpose determining the main polluting sources that deteriorate quality of them and analyzing a possible way to remediate it. It started with a visit to the study place with the aim of defining the main polluting sources that deteriorated these waters. As a remediation measure, three biofilters with Vetiver Grass (Vetiveria zizanoides) were built using sand, gravel, and grit as layers to treat wastewater. Different analysis were carried out every week in order to determine the concentrations and percentages of removal with parameters such as: Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Oils and fats, and total solids. Finally, the results obtained from each filter were evaluated using different national and international standards that describe criteria of water quality for use in agricultural activities. According to results after the filtration, the removal efficiency was approximately 60%, so these waters could be used for different activities such as irrigation.