Application of Scenedesmus sp. in Dairy Effluents for BOD and COD Reduction in Cajamarca, Peru

Sanchez-Vasquez B.; Gallardo-Villanueva Y.; Sanchez-Peña M. · Proceedings of the LACCEI international Multi-conference for Engineering, Education and Technology (2026) · DOI: 10.18687/laccei2026.1.1.879

Resumen

Cajamarca, Peru's leading milk-producing region accounting for nearly 20% of national production, stands out for its favorable geography and tradition of industrial livestock farming. The use of microalgae to reduce pollutants is essential for treating dairy industry effluents, especially regarding critical parameters such as Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). This study analyzed the efficacy of Scenedesmus sp. in a bioreactor, using treatments with different proportions of microalgae over a 21-day period under controlled laboratory conditions. Treatment 1 (T1) yielded significant results in contaminant remediation, achieving a 30.20% reduction in Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), from 1011 mg/L to 707.33 mg/L; and a 30.15% decrease in Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), from 606.67 mg/L to 424.33 mg/L. Furthermore, it was observed that the use of Scenedesmus sp. allows for the utilization of the microalgae's photosynthetic capacity, generating oxygen and contributing to environmental balance. The simplicity of the bioreactor design used and the relatively low costs associated with microalgae cultivation make this technology a sustainable solution. The findings highlight the potential of Scenedesmus sp. as a sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient solution. However, further research is essential to optimize its application in industrial settings, improve its efficiency in various scenarios, and evaluate its long-term performance in larger-scale systems.

Instituciones: Universidad Privada del Norte