The four year investigation has come to an end with the following results:

  • 80% reduction of footprint for the technology implementation, i.e compact treatment systems compared to conventional treatments, such as a conventional activated sludge (CAS).
  • AGS CAPEX resulted 20-50% lower than CAS for the treatment of high strength wastewater.
  • Total costs savings calculated for AGS and MBBR prototypes ranged between 49-51%, compared to the current DAF technology, including the additional investment required to renovate the plant. If only OPEX is considered, savings reach 72%.
  • Important reduction in estimated environmental welfare damage in both biofilm-based technologies for the case of eutrophication.
    • AGS decrease up to 74% the expected value of damage to river ecosystem and nearly 90% in the case of marine ecosystems
    • MBBR decrease 65% expected value of damage to river ecosystem and 70% in the case of marine ecosystems
  • The results of DOQ and Nitrogen removal for the different technologies have reached:
    • MBBR system. Removal efficiency higher than 70% (COD and N) in low-strength wastewater treatment.
    • AGS system. On the one hand, COD removal efficiency of 70-80% and up to 90% of total nitrogen in low-strength wastewater treatment. On the other hand, COD removal efficiency of 80-90% and between 30-40% of total nitrogen removal in high-strength wastewater treatment.

The monitoring of the benthonic ecosystem demonstrated the need to implement sustainable and effective technologies for the treatment of complex fish canning wastewaters. Biofilm-based technologies are suitable and efficient alternative systems for the treatment of biodegradable industrial wastewaters, including fish canning wastewater, dairy industry and other effluents from the food and beverage sector. The complete breakdown of results can be consulted in the Layman’s Report of the proyect.

LIFE SEACAN contributes to the achievement of EU policy with regard to Water Framework Directive and the challenges in the water sector through i) policy making, ii) technical solutions, iii) management solutions, iv) social responsibility