Study of Pollution Load in Effluents of Paper Mills and Its Control by the Recycling Of Sundry Plants in Hayatabad Industrial Estate, Peshawar.

Abstract

This study was initiated to explore the concept of recycling of effluents of paper industry in Hayatabad Industrial Estate. The objective of this study was to reduce pollution load of paper and pulp effluents via recycling in sundry plants to make it fit for aquatic biota. For this purpose a detail study was conducted at paper mills and sundry plants at Hayatabad Industrial Estate. These plants were examined for operation and were sampled for waste water. Total 7 waste water samples were collected from selected points of paper mills, industrial drain and sundry plants. Samples were analyzed for various physio-chemical characteristics (colour, pH, EC, Alkalinity, Turbidity, TDS, TSS, COD and BOD 5 ) by adopting standard methods for the examination of water and waste water. These samples were also investigated for heavy metals through atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The obtained results were compared with Pak-NEQS for industrial effluents. Results showed high limits of pH(9-9.3), EC(738-850uS/cm), Alkalinity(463-581mg/l), Turbidity(166-180 NTU), TSS(5100-5300mg/l), TDS(3900-4200mg/l), BOD 5 (350-390mg/l) and COD (510-532mg/l) in effluents of paper mills. Among heavy metals Cd, Cr and Pd were observed above Pak-NEQS for industrial discharges in the range of 1-3, 3.2-5.1 and 1.01-2.3mg/l respectively. These effluents were recycled in sundry plants in manufacturing of paper board/gatta. Analysis of recycled water reduced levels of analyzed parameters upto low limits as pH (7.1-7.4), EC(336-345uS/cm), Alkalinity(425-580mg/l), Turbidity(140-154 NTU), TDS(1900-1970mg/l), TSS(2000-2100mg/l), COD(176-190mg/l), BOD 5 (95-110mg/l). It was observed that huge quantity of water is generating from paper mills and its direct discharge into receiving water is an emerging concern. Therefore it is recommended to enhance the installation of sundry plants in proposed industrial estate.