Trophic stage assessment of the Monja Blanca lagoon, Palencia, Guatemala

Abstract

This article deals with the determination of environmental impacts, product of the operation of a wastewater treatment plant through the activated sludge system, which specifically deals with discharges from the residential sector, using the environmental LCA life cycle analysis methodology, in order to assess the potential impacts to the environment and health; contributing the obtained values, to the generation of data base to compare treatment alternatives. The categories of impact covered in the research are: abiotic depletion potential, climate change, eutrophication and pollution load index. Obtaining the following results: PCG of 0.76 kg/m³ of CO₂ equivalent, affluent EP of 0.34 kg of PO₄ˉ³ equivalent, effluent EP of 0.072 kg of PO₄ˉ³ equivalent, ADP of 3.46 MJ Sb equivalent for m³, and a PLI of 55.10, for the category of pollution towards receiving body.