TITLE:
Coliforms and Helminth Eggs Removals by Coagulation-Flocculation Treatment Based on Natural Polymers
AUTHORS:
Evelyn Zamudio-Pérez, Neftalí Rojas-Valencia, Isaac Chairez, Luis Gilberto Torres
KEYWORDS:
Coagulation; Fecal Coliforms; Flocculation; Helminth Eggs; Total Coliforms; Wastewaters
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Water Resource and Protection,
Vol.5 No.11,
November
27,
2013
ABSTRACT: Wastewater from a municipal wastewater treatment plant (Mexico) was
treated by a coagulation-flocculation using natural gums. The residual water
was characterized in terms of organic load, and biological contaminants, i.e. total Coliforms (TC), fecal
Coliforms (FC) and helminth eggs (HE). The sample has values of 2.8 × 107 MPN/100 ml, 8.48 × 106 MPN/100 ml and 470 HE/L is regarded to TC, FC and
HH, respectively. The HE identified in the wastewaters were Diphyllobothrium latum, Ascaris lumbricoides, Hymenolepis nana and Toxocara canis. From several gums, Hydroxypropyl
triammonium chloride guar gum (HPTAC-guar) was selected as the most adequate
coagulant-flocculant for the class of municipal wastewater (MWW). A diminution
of 82% for TC, 94% for FC and 99% for HE was obtained. Besides, the reduction
of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and turbidity removals were 46% and 39%
respectively. The natural gum mixed with Ca(OH)2, obtained removals
of 52% for TC, 100% for HE, 47% for COD and 30% for turbidity.