Removal of Turbidity and Total Suspended Solids Using Prunus Serotina and Mespilus Germanica Biocoagulants in a River in Apurímac, Peru

This study evaluated the efficiency of the natural biocoagulants Prunus serotina and Mespilus germanica in the removal of turbidity and total suspended solids (TSS) in a river in Apurímac, Peru. A 3×2×2 factorial design was applied, considering three coagulant doses (0,1; 0,5; and 1,0 g/500 mL), two stirring speeds (50 and 150 rpm), and two settling times (30 and 60 min), with three replicates per treatment. Significant reductions were observed, reaching maximum values of 92,71 % in turbidity and 90,92 % in TSS with M. germanica, and 90,16 % in turbidity and 88,73 % in TSS with P. serotina. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed that the dose and sedimentation time significantly influenced the removal of turbidity and TSS (p < 0,05), while the agitation speed was relevant only for P. serotina. These findings demonstrate that seed extracts of P. serotina and M. germanica represent viable, sustainable, and low-cost alternatives for water treatment in rural Andean communities.