The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the particle size of sawdust as filtering material on the efficiency of swine wastewater treatment. The three ranges of particles size used were 0.84 to 1.19; 1.19 to 2.00 and 2.00 to 2.83 mm. The values of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total solids (TS), total-N, total-P, total-K, total-Na, total-Cu and total-Zn were determined in the affluents as well as in the effluents. Curves of the relative concentrations of these parameters and the filtered layer were obtained. The range of particle size corresponding to the largest diameter of the material was more suitable for reducing the BOD and COD (40 and 80%, respectively). The large particle size also allowed to remove about 70% of the TS. On the other hand, the smallest particle size removed about 50% of the nitrogen. The range of particle size did not affect the removal of phosphorus, although removal up to 65% were obtained. Sodium and potassium were not removed by the sawdust filters. Copper and zinc removal were above 95%, the smallest particle size showing highest copper removal.
organic filter; water treatment; particle size
