Análisis espacial-temporal de procesos relacionados con concentraciones de oxígeno disuelto en lagunas de maduración

Abstract

This article presents the analysis of the variability of dissolved oxygen concentrations in time and space along the maturation ponds of the wastewater treatment plant of Ucubamba (Cuenca, Ecuador), according to physical, chemical and biological parameters, and meteorological conditions. A statistical approach with mixed effects models was used for testing the influence of the different variables through space and time, on dissolved oxygen concentrations. Depth was the most significant factor affecting dissolved oxygen. Phosphorous in the maturation ponds, depending on the hour of the day, presented an effect on dissolved oxygen concentrations. pH, on the other hand, only showed significance in one of the two ponds analyzed. Further, chlorophyll a, as a proxy for algal biomass concentration, had a positive correlation with dissolved oxygen following similar trends with higher concentrations closer to the surface. Meteorological factors did not show any significant effect on dissolved oxygen.