Worm-filter in the Recovery of Wastewater from the Commercial Activity of Hydrobiological Products

Abstract

The wastewater generated in the commercialization activity in specific markets for the sale of hydrobiological products has the characteristic of having a high content of organic matter from fish, shellfish and other marine products that are handled there. The wastewater generated in these places has a high potential for contamination, which, if not properly treated, would have negative environmental impacts on the receiving body. The objective of the research was to evaluate the treatment of wastewater generated in a fish market using the worm filter technology. We sought to determine the amount of substrate and earthworm (Eisenia foetida) in the biofilter to make the treatment more efficient; 5, 10 and 15 days of retention in the biofilter were considered. As a result, the chemical oxygen demand was reduced by 90 %, turbidity by 82 %, total suspended solids by 96 %, total coliforms by 100 %, fecal coliforms by 56 % and organic matter by 91 %. Thus, it is established that the worm filter of this type is efficient to recover wastewater from commercial fishing activity, for its probable reuse and avoiding environmental damage.