CONDITIONS CAUSED BY SPILLAGE OF ACTIVATED SLUDGE OCCURRED IN THE INDEPENDENCE SECTOR OF THE QUININDÉ CANTON

AFECTACIONES OCASIONADAS POR DERRAME DE LODO ACTIVADO

Abstract

This work was carried out in the Quinindé cantón in order to know the effects caused by the activated sludge spill that occurred in the Independencia sector that arose after the rupture of the sedimented sludge container geo-tube by the extractor SOPALIN SA, This company is dedicated to extracting crude unrefined vegetable oil from African palm. The purpose of the investigation is to know the level of contamination of the river and who was affected. The methods used were: analytical and quantitative. It is important to detail that the main results found are the medium-high contamination of the Í¡rea with an amount of 30,000 yd³. This incident contaminated the white river by 42.9% located near the factory, damaging and displacing flora and fauna of the area by 85.7%, also harming local farmers due to the economic losses that occurred, through the percentage projection that was carried out. It reflects that the population has had a notable growth over the years since the area has had a good development and its population increased since the first census, which was in 1999 where 62,680 in habitants were counted throughout the canton and already by 2010 its growth was 41% more than the population, reaching the conclusion that this environmental disaster generated short comings in the activities of residents, and the natural environment.