Caracterització del clogging en Solucions Basades en la Natura per al tractament d'aigües residuals domèstiques mitjançant polarització induïda: cap a una gestió eficient de sistemes de flux subsuperficial

Abstract

This study analyzes the use of induced polarization as a non-invasive diagnostic methodology to characterize clogging in nature-based treatment systems. The main objective is to validate a tool capable of optimizing the life cycle of constructed wetlands and reducing the environmental impact associated with maintenance tasks. To achieve this, the time-domain induced polarization technique was applied at a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), using normalized chargeability (Mn) of the filter media as an indirect and quantitative indicator of the functionality of the granular media. The results obtained through three-dimensional mapping show that clogging is a heterogeneous process conditioned by operation time and the nature of the substrate, given that, while the renewed treatment units exhibit preserved porosity, the ponds with more than twenty years of operation show signs of clogging in some sectors. At the same time, the diagnosis has allowed the identification of preferential flows and potentially clogged zones that compromise treatment efficiency. Overall, the study confirms that the electrical response of the medium can effectively predict the filter's state and the end of its functional life cycle without interfering with the treatment operation. The application of this technique promotes predictive and selective management aligned with SDGs 6, 7, and 13, as it reduces unnecessary material transport, minimizes the carbon footprint, and helps prevent greenhouse gas emissions derived from anaerobiosis, while ensuring the correct reuse of domestic wastewater.