Advanced oxidation processes: a supplementary treatment option for recalcitrant organic pollutants in Abattoir wastewater

Abstract

Animal production and meat processing generate large amounts of waste. Large amount of water containing substantial quantities of biodegradable organic matter are produced as a result of the slaughtering of animals and the routine washing of leftover particles in the abattoir. Blood, fats, oil, and grease, undigested food, suspended materials, etc. are a few examples of the materials that typically contributed organic load to these effluents. Thus, regulatory agencies prohibit the direct discharge of the effluents and solid abattoir wastes into the environment. This is because these wastes are potential pollutants and can increase harmful ecological hazards, therefore, treatment is required before discharge into environment. The advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), a tertiary water treatment method is based on the production of hydroxyl radicals, which brings about its non-selective reaction with water contaminants, allowing mineralization of contaminants and converting them into CO2 and water. AOPs could be applied to oxidize pollutants in abattoir wastewater (AWW), and may be used as a supplementary treatment system. A combined process involving the physical and biological treatments, and AOPs may be used as an alternate form of treatment with the potential for greater effectiveness and dependability. However, the properties of the wastewater, treatment time, influent concentration, type of treatment, and the best treatment technique currently available to comply with the standards will all have a significant impact on treatment efficiencies of AWW.