Resumen

ALFARO-ARRIETA, Ernesto. Characterization of activated sludge from two Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) in Costa Rica. Ing. invest. y tecnol. [online]. 2023, vol.24, n.3.  Epub 17-Nov-2023. ISSN 2594-0732.  https://doi.org/10.22201/fi.25940732e.2023.24.3.019.

Wastewater discharges represent a major pollution problem for the environment, since in many cases it is not treated correctly and is deposited in rivers and streams. There are different types of wastewater treatment among which, due to its effectiveness, the aerobic treatment of activated sludge stands out. However, currently, there are not many analyzes in Costa Rica that are specific to these sludge so that a criterion of their quality can be given, and therefore the proper functioning of the wastewater treatment plant. Countries like Spain have generated an activated sludge Quality Index using the study of its components, which has allowed the characterization of these, making enormous progress in wastewater treatment issues. In order to carry out a characterization for the application of said Activated Sludge Quality Index in Costa Rica, four samplings of sludge and effluents from two different Wastewater Treatment Plants were carried out, which were analyzed, both microbiologically and physicochemically, and the activated sludge index mentioned above was applied to them. Positive results of the index were obtained by categorizing the activated sludge as Good, coinciding with the effluent quality analyzes and showing that said index is applicable in the aerobic treatment plants of Costa Rica. It is necessary that the activated sludge index be performed as a routine analysis to give a complete quality characterization of all activated sludge WWTPs.

Palabras llave : Activated sludge; wastewater; index; treatment; protozoa.

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