Evaluation of the coughing power of the Opuntia ficus indica for removal of turbidity in waters of the Guatapuri River (Colombian Caribbean)

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to publicize the evaluation of the effectiveness of Opuntia ficus indica as a coagulant during the treatment of raw water from the middle basin of the Guatapurí River, in the Department of Cesar, Colombia. Tuna coagulant is purely organic; it has been shown by phytochemical studies performed on Opuntia ficus indica the presence of some minerals among some others; contains glycides or carbohydrates. The evaluation was carried out using the jug test equipment, which operated by varying the revolutions per minute (20, 30 and 40), keeping the mixture fast at 125 rpm and settling for 30 minutes. The samples were physically characterized (Turbidity, Alkalinity, pH and total suspended solids) taking into account the methods specified for parameter in the Standard Methods. With samples of 345.9 NTU and 2799.1 NTU at optimal doses of 658.75 mg/L and 1976.3 mg/L respectively, removals up to 97% and 99.5% were observed in the same order. It was shown that the variation of the slow mixture only influenced with the sample of 2799.1 NTU, being the most effective treatment at 30 RPM.