Transport Parameters of Electrical Conductivity of Wastewater in Brazilian Soils

Abstract

To evaluate the behavior of electrical conductivity (CEa) from treated domestic wastewater and swine trials took place in columns of glass with Argisol Red-Yellow Eutrophic and Entisol soils. The columns were filled up to 20 cm high with particles of diameter less than 2 mm, after that were left at rest for 36 hours in distilled water for saturation. After saturation, each column was connected to a Mariotte bottle containing distilled water until it percolated 2 volumes of pores then, another Mariotte bottle containing wastewater was connected to the column until it leached 3.75 volumes of pores divided into 25 aliquots. The electrical conductivity was monitored during the tests, with such information elution curves were generated and the parameters of transport through the DISP. Was observed that in Entisoil columns the values of CEa, was recovery of the initial electrical conductivity of the fluid displaced even before the pre-set volume (3.5 volumes of pores). The same did not occur with as happened with Argisol Red-Yellow Eutrophic columns. Whatever type of wastewater (domestic or swine), the highest values of dispersive diffusive coefficient (D) and retardation factors (R) were observed for the Red-Yellow Eutrophic soil.