RESUMO
Resumen Los residuos generados en los laboratorios de las instituciones de educación superior (IES) suelen ser considerados peligrosos por sus características fisicoquímicas, al igual de otros materiales que representan una alta carga orgánica si son dispuestos inadecuadamente. El objetivo del presente trabajo, fue tratar agar residual generado en los laboratorios de microbiología del edificio multifuncional de la División Académica de Ciencias Biológicas (DACBiol), mediante compostaje tradicional. Con la finalidad de conocer la viabilidad del proceso de compostaje, se trabajó con dos pilas de composta conformadas de 95.95 kg lodos y 141.5 kg residuos vegetales (un total de 237.45 kg), a una de ellas (pila 1), se le añadió 25 kg de agar caduco. Se monitorearon los parámetros fisicoquímicos y analíticos durante 63 días. Se obtuvo una temperatura máxima de 57.71±5.07 °C, en la pila con agar y en la segunda pila de 50.23±4.30 °C. Los valores de pH inicial fueron de 5.93±0.02 y 7.02±0.01, estabilizándose al final con valores de 8.00±0.07 y 7.95±0.11. La conductividad eléctrica presentó valores finales de 6.87±0.46 dS m-1 y 3.02±0.09 dS m-1. El compostaje es una tecnología opcional para el tratamiento de agar residual ya que los valores de pH y temperatura no se afectaron durante el proceso, solo se presenta un valor elevado de conductividad eléctrica. Además, la DACBiol, por contar con una certificación en calidad ambiental y contar con un programa de manejo de residuos de laboratorios, debe cumplir el objetivo de minimizar la generación de residuos.
Abstract Waste generated in the laboratories of higher education institutions (HEIs) is often considered hazardous due to its physicochemical characteristics, as well as other materials that represent a high organic load if inadequately disposed. The objective of this work, was to treat residual agar generated in the microbiology laboratories of the multifunctional building of the Academic Division of Biological Sciences (DACBiol), through traditional composting. To know the viability of the composting process, was worked with two compost piles made of 95.95 kg sludge and 141.5 kg plant residues (a total of 237.45 kg), to one of them (stack 1), 25 kg of waste agar was added. Physicochemical and analytical parameters were monitored for 63 days. A maximum temperature of 57.71±5.07 °C was obtained, in the agar cell and in the second cell of 50.23±4.30 °C. The initial pH values were 5.93±0.02 and 7.02±0.01, stabilizing at the end with values of 8.00 ± 0.07 and 7.95±0.11. The electrical conductivity presented final values of 6.87±0.46 dS m-1 and 3.02±0.09 dS m-1. Composting is an optional technology for the treatment of residual agar since the values of pH and temperature were not affected during the process, only a increase of electrical conductivity is presented. In addition, DACBiol, for having a certification in environmental quality and have a program of waste management of laboratories, must meet the objective of minimizing the generation of waste.
RESUMO
State parks are highly sensitive areas of great natural importance and tourism value. Herein a case study involving a basic survey of solid waste which was carried out in 2006 in Agua Blanca State Park, Macuspana, Tabasco, Mexico with two sampling periods representing the high and low tourist season is presented. The survey had five objectives: to find out the number of visitors in the different seasons, to consider the daily generation of solid waste from tourist activities, to determine bulk density, to select and quantify sub-products; and to suggest a possible treatment. A daily average of 368 people visited the park: 18,862 people in 14 days during the high season holiday (in just one day, Easter Sunday, up to 4425 visitors) and 2092 visitors in 43 days during the low season. The average weight of the generated solid waste was 61.267 kg day(-1) and the generated solid waste average per person was 0.155 kg person(-1 ) day(-1). During the high season, the average increased to 0.188 kg person(-1 ) day(-1) and during the low season, the average decreased to 0.144 kg person(-1 ) day(-1). The bulk density average was 75.014 kg m(-3), the maximum value was 92.472 kg m(-3) and the minimum was 68.274 kg m(-3). The sub-products comprised 54.52% inorganic matter; 32.03% organic matter, 10.60% non-recyclable and 2.85% others. Based on these results, waste management strategies such as reuse/recycling, aerobic and anaerobic digestion, the construction of a manual landfill and the employment of a specialist firm were suggested.
