Removal of pollutants from chicken slaughterhouse wastewater using constructed wetland system

Abstract

The growth of the poultry industry has a significant impact on the environment especially in the slaughtering stage that will create a high quantity of wastewater. This wastewater has high organic content that requires efficient and low-cost treatment technology alternatives, such as by Constructed Wetlands system. The purpose of this research was to determine the ability of plants to reduce the content of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and the ammonia content of chicken slaughterhouse wastewater. The wetland pond dimension was 6x20x0.8m (WxLxH) and filled with coarse sand and then planted with cattail grass (Typha latifolia), umbrella plant (Cyperus alternifolius) and vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides L. Nash). The results showed that the plants in the wetland had a good performance in treating chicken slaughterhouse wastewater. The efficiency of decreasing the total COD can reach up to 85%, while the highest ammonium removal efficiency was 80%. Meanwhile, the most efficient plant for reducing COD was shown by umbrella plant (Cyperus alternifolius).