Effects of ultrafiltration on the phytotoxicity of primary and secondary effluents from urban wastewater treatment [Efectos de la ultrafiltración sobre la fitotoxicidad de efluentes primarios y secundarios de la depuración de aguas residuales urbanas]

Abstract

The clean / reclaimed waste water has become an important alternative water resources as part of sustainable use and management of water, especially in arid areas with deficits in natural resources. One application of interest is the agricultural irrigation industry that requires large amounts of water. The classic stages of primary and secondary biological treatment supply effluents with limited applications for irrigation, but can be improved significantly if such effluents undergo a process of ultrafiltration membranes. This paper presents the results of a study correlating the physical and chemical quality with phytotoxic properties, parameters in primary and secondary effluents and the effect of the ultrafiltration membrane in such effluents are analyzed. In each sample was measured: conductivity, turbidity, total organic carbon, soluble proteins, polysaccharides, chemical oxygen demand and ions of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, B3+, F- and Cl-. Criteria phytotoxicity were evaluated by Lactuca sativa L. Biomarker is concluded that phytotoxicity conductivity and are interdependent to evaluate the toxic effect treatment processes for wastewater parameters. Moreover, the Na+ and Cl- ions may play a role in the permeates phytotoxic obtained when subjected to ultrafiltration primary and secondary effluents.