Determinación de eficiencia de especies vegetales: Totora - Achira implementadas en biofiltros para agua de riego en Punín 2013

Abstract

This research consists of determining the efficiency of plant species, Totora - Achira, implemented in independent biofilters to obtain irrigation water from gray water in the communities of Chulcunag Alto and Chulcunag Centro, Punín parish, Riobamba canton, Chimborazo province, 2013. The experimental method was used to take samples of the influent and effluent with repetitions of one day per week for 1 month in each biofilter for physical, chemical and microbiological characterization using materials, reagents and laboratory equipment such as: spectrophotometer, pH meter, conductivity meter. The results obtained from the research are: achira presents a removal percentage of 32.4% and totora 23.9% in organic matter removal represented as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The higher efficiency of achira is possibly due to the characteristics of its bulb-shaped root, which provides a larger surface area for microorganisms to adhere to. It was concluded that the t-student test did not show a significant difference in the percentage of removal, determining that the efficiency of Totora and Achira species are relatively similar. We recommend that the Autonomous Decentralized Government of the Province of Chimborazo carry out follow-ups for a minimum period of 3 months to obtain more information on the behavior of the species in the elimination of contaminants and to socialize the purification system in rural communities.