Paper Mill Effluent Research Articles

Phytoremediation potential of a novel fern, Salvinia cucullata, Roxb. Ex Bory, to pulp and paper mill effluent: Physiological and anatomical response

The study was conducted with an aim to remediate effluent from a pulp and paper mill, after treating it for 28 days with an aquatic fern, Salvinia cucullata. The effluent had high BOD, COD, TS, TSS, TDS, P, hardness and chloride, and several heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Mg, Mn, Fe and Zn) above national limits. However, the plant survived a wide range of effluent concentrations (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, v/v), and flourished well, particularly at 25% (v/v), resisted membrane injury and generation of H2O2 and O2, showed better growth and induced all the major antioxidant enzymes. The plants also induced lipid peroxidation. Most of the elemental profiles were higher than the toxic levels stipulated for plants, indicating tolerance to metal. In fact, barring Fe, for Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mg and P, at all the effluent doses, and for Cd, Ni and Mn, up to 75% (v/v) effluent, greater concentrations were observed in leaf than in root. This plant was more suited for nutrient removal, as it effectively reduced BOD, Zn, Fe, Ni, Mg, P and increased dissolve oxygen. Further, pH, hardness, chloride, TS and Mn was reduced optimally by 25–50% (v/v) treatments. SEM revealed prominent structural damages from 50 to 100% treatments. Presence of Pb as well as Fe in the EDX peaks were observed in the cortex rather than in the root vascular zone. This plant could be suggested to be an effective phytoremediator of multi-contaminant effluent with maximum benefit at low doses (25–50%, v/v).

Polyhydroxyalkanoate Biosynthesis from Paper Mill Wastewater Treated by a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor

One potential way for organic matter recovering contained in paper mill effluents can be obtaining polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). The aim of this work was to evaluate PHA biosynthesis from paper mill effluents by moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) under different operational strategies of the BOD5/nitrogen (N)/phosphorus (P) ratio. The operational strategies were evaluated in two phases. During phase I, organic loading rates (OLRs) were increased from 0.13 to 2.99 biological oxygen demand kg BOD5 m−3 day−1, and in phase II, kg BOD5 m−3 day−1 was increased from 0.81 to 2.83. In both phases, the BOD5/N/P ratios were 100:5:1 and 100:1:0.3. The maximum percentages of PHA-accumulating cells and organic matter removal were 85.10 and 95.60 % for phase I, both with a BOD5/N/P ratio of 100:5:1, while in phase II, PHA biosynthesis and organic removal were 89.41 and 97.10 % with 100:1:0.3 and 100:5:1, respectively.

Antifouling grafting of ceramic membranes validated in a variety of challenging wastewaters

Compared to traditional separation and purification techniques, membrane filtration is particularly beneficial for the treatment of wastewater streams such as pulp and paper mill effluents (PPME), olive oil wastewater (OOWW) and oil/gas produced water (PW). However, severe membrane fouling can be a major issue.In this work, the use of ceramic membranes and the potential for the broad applicability of a recently developed antifouling grafting was evaluated to tackle this issue. To this end, the fouling behavior of native and grafted membranes was tested in the selected difficult wastewater streams, both in dead-end and in cross-flow mode. In addition, the quality of the produced permeate water was determined to assess the overall performance of the investigated membranes for reuse or recycling of the treated wastewater.The obtained results show that grafting significantly enhances the antifouling tendency of the ceramic membranes. Particularly, the membrane grafted with methyl groups using the Grignard technique (MGR), showed in all cases no or negligible fouling as compared to the native membrane. As a consequence, the process flux or filtration capacity of the MGR membrane in cross-flow is always higher and more stable than the native membrane, even though the grafting lowers the pure water flux. Hence, the inert character of the MGR membrane is repeatedly proven and shown to be broadly applicable and generic for anti-fouling, without loss in permeate quality.Moreover, in case of OOWW, the quality of the MGR permeate is even better than that of the native membrane due to its lower fouling. All results can be explained taking into account the physico-chemical properties of foulants and membranes, as shown in previous work. In conclusion, the use of MGR membranes could provide an optimum economical solution for the treatment of the selected challenging wastewaters.

Sublethal effects of pulp and paper mill effluent on two commonly cultured carps: a SEM- and EDS-based hematological biomarker analysis.

Blood being a vehicle for the transport of industrial pollutants in living system, fish hematology is considered as potent biomarker. In the present study, we investigated respective sublethal effects of pulp and paper mill effluents on hematology of two commonly cultured carps, Cyprinus carpio and Ctenopharyngodon idella, using optical, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Irrespective of species, results showed significant decrease in erythrocyte, hematocrit and hemoglobin contents while an increase in white blood cell counts (P<0.05). We observed an increasing trend of MCV (170.0±3.07 to 193.16±2.5) and MCH (34.31±1.89 to 38.71±3.61) up to 28th day in C. carpio (P<0.05), while, in C. idella, the highest percent increase in MCV (180.8±2.19) and MCH (32.9±0.62) was observed on seventh exposure day, which subsequently declined, respectively, to 173.1±17.1 and 27.9±2.45 on 28th day. Unlike C. carpio, significant and progressive MCHC declining trend (18.23±0.28 to 16.13±0.31) was observed in C. idella. The most commonly observed abnormalities under SEM include echinocytes, cytoplasmic blebbing, cytoplasmic ring, spherocytes, lobopodial projections and acanthocytes in red blood cells of exposed fishes. EDS further revealed the presence of aluminum, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, tungsten, zinc and titanium; some of these metals were not even detected in the effluent samples, suggesting the probable metal bio-concentration in fish tissue, and subsequent jeopardization is a major concern particularly in the industrial area. Our study further suggested the use of sensitive and specific techniques like SEM and EDS in fish hematological biomarker analysis along with the conventional approach.

Evaluation of Anaerobic Digestor for Treating Paper Mill Waste Water

Background/Objective: The Indian paper industry accounts for about 3% of the world’s production of paper. So the generation and disposal of paper and pulp industry wastewater is very high. Disposal of untreated mill effluent will damage the environment. Therefore treatment of papermill effluent is necessary. Methods/Statistical Analysis: In this investigationthe bleach liquor from thepaper mill wastewater is subjected to biological treatment process. Usually bleach liquor is not effective in the biological treatment process.In this study along with the effluent, cow dung and activated sludge from domestic wastewater are added as a seeding materials by the ratio of 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% replacement in the 500ml serum bottle and closed tightly to maintain anaerobic condition. The wastewater initial characters are analyzed and evaluated the biogas production daily. Finally if the gas production stopped the wastewater and the seeding materials inside the reactor is characterized. Findings: The 50% wastewater and the 50% seeding materials (cow dung and activated sludge combination) gave the high yield of biogas and degrade the organic contaminants effectively. Improvement/ Applications: Theactivated sludge is used as a seeding material to biodegrade the organic pollutants present in the wastewater especially the bleach liquor. It will help to improve the biological treatment process of bleach liquor effluent treatment with activated sludge in continuous mode of operation to treat the effluent.

Aerobic granular sludge to treat paper mill effluent: selection of ideal strains that contribute to the formation of strong aggregates

The formation of aerobic granules after the treatment of paper mill effluents was feasible. Granular sludge presented a lower fouling potential than flocculent sludge, allowing a higher flux through the membranes in a membrane bioreactor (MBR). However, it was observed that after filtration many of the biogranules disrupted, which increased the membrane fouling. Therefore, the formation of aggregates that are physically and mechanically more resistant to decomposition would be beneficial to an MBR process. This work determines which of the microorganisms found in the aerobic granular sludge contribute to microbial aggregation, thereby increasing the mechanical resistance of aggregates. Nineteen strains were isolated from granular aerobic sludge. Tests for coaggregation showed that some isolates (E2, E7, E9, E13, and E25) were able to improve the formation of granules, while others (E10, E14, E18, and E26) inhibited the aggregation. The extracellular polymeric substances analyses indicated which substances contributed to the granule formation. The mechanical resistance of the aggregates was determined and the results showed that isolate E19 substantially improved the resistance of the aggregates to disruption.

Impact of Resin and Fatty Acids on Full-Scale Anaerobic Treatment of Pulp and Paper Mill Effluents

Wastewater generated during pulp and paper production usually contains large amounts of organic matter that may be converted to biogas through anaerobic treatment. These effluents can also contain a variety of inhibitors such as resin acids and long-chain fatty acids (RFAs) among other compounds. A multivariate data analysis was conducted with performance and water quality data from an anaerobic reactor at a pulp and paper mill, which provides unprecedented evidence for the long-term inhibitory effects of RFAs during full-scale operation. Although RFAs in the reactor influent did not cause serious process disturbance, they significantly contributed to the variability in the percentage removal of soluble chemical oxygen demand (percent sCOD removal) (∼45% to ∼75%), as well as the variability in volatile fatty acid concentration in the effluent (2 to >20 meq/L). Furthermore, a linear correlation was found between RFA concentrations in the reactor sludge bed and the percent sCOD removal. An effective strategy to remove RFAs before anaerobic treatment is upfront removal of particles within the primary clarifier. Based on an exploratory model, a graphical method is introduced that allows for quick assessment of the extent to which resin acids are sorbed to particles, and associated potential for upfront settling. When the pH of high-solids wastewater is below 7, the majority of resin acids will be associated with particles and a considerable fraction of these can therefore be removed by means of settling or floatation. Finally, a novel liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry method that rapidly quantifies major RFA constituents was developed. In the full-scale reactor, dehydroabietic acid (DHA) represented the bulk (∼92%) of the resin acids within the granular sludge. DHA in sludge warrants special attention and should be monitored closely.

Removal of nutrients and organic pollution load from pulp and paper mill effluent by microalgae in outdoor open pond

A mixed culture of microalgae, containing two Scenedesmus species, was analysed to determine its potential in coupling of pulp and paper mill effluent treatment and microalgal cultivation. Laboratory studies suggested that 60% concentration of wastewater was optimum for microalgal cultivation. A maximum of 82% and 75% removal of BOD and COD respectively was achieved with microalgal cultivation in outdoor open pond. By the end of the cultivation period, 65% removal of NO3-N and 71.29% removal of PO4-P was observed. The fatty acid composition of mixed microalgal culture cultivated with effluent showed the palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid as major fatty acids. The results obtained suggest that pulp and paper mill effluent could be used effectively for cultivation of microalgae to minimise the freshwater and nutrient requirements.

Bioavailability and Fate of Sediment-Associated Progesterone in Aquatic Systems.

The environmental fate and bioavailability of progesterone, a steroid hormone known to cause endocrine-disrupting effects in aquatic organisms, is of growing concern due to its occurrence in the environment in water and sediment influenced by wastewater treatment plant and paper mill effluents, as well as livestock production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the fate of progesterone in two natural sediments and the corresponding alteration of gene expression in three steroid-responsive genes; vitellogenin, androgen receptor and estrogen receptor alpha. When exposed to progesterone-spiked sand, fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) exhibited significant reductions in the expression of vitellogenin and androgen receptor expression. In contrast, fish exposed to progesterone associated with the silty loam sediment did not show a biological response at 7 days and only realized a significant reduction in vitellogenin. In both sediments, progesterone degradation resulted in the production of androgens including androsteinedione, testosterone, and androstadienedione, as well as the antiestrogen, testolactone. Differences in compound fate resulted in organism exposure to different suites of metabolites either in water or associated with the sediment. Results from this study suggest that environmental progestagens will lead to defeminization at environmentally relevant concentrations, and that exposure is influenced by sediment properties.

Nanosilver-decorated nanographene and their adsorption performance in waste water treatment

Water, a precious resource for all living organisms has become a diminishing source in the present world. Reuse of water is a way of combating the scarcity of water. The remedy for the polluted water through eco-friendly approaches is a major challenging task for the researchers. Nanotechnology is expected to provide a better solution than the existing methods. Graphene, a novel carbonaceous material widely used in the field of nanotechnology is a promising substance in the treatment of polluted water. The present work deals with the bio-reduction of graphene oxide using the aqueous extract of Amaranthus polygonoides. The synthesized graphene was embedded with silver nanoparticles and Moringa oleifera pulverized seed powder. This modified graphene was used as adsorbent for simulated textile, tannery and paper mill effluents. The adsorption efficacy of graphene and modified graphene was compared with that of a commonly available adsorbent activated charcoal by analysing the water quality parameters before and after treatment. The results revealed that the graphene loaded with the silver nanoparticles and M. oleifera seed powder possessed excellent adsorbent properties and showed good efficacy on reusability compared to conventional activated charcoal.

Reduction of pollution load of paper mill effluent by phytoremediation technique using water caltrop (Trapa natans L.)

AbstractLaboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the reduction of pollution load of paper mill effluent through phytoremediation technique using water caltrop (Trapa natans). Different concentrations, viz. 0% (control), 25, 50, 75, and 100% (absolute) were treated using T. natans for 60 days. Results showed that sewage effluent was loaded with various parameters, viz. total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity, total Kjeldhal nitrogen (TKN), phosphate (PO43-), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). The maximum removal of different parameters was recorded after 60 days of phytoremediation experiments. Water caltrop (T. natans) significantly (p < 0.05/p < 0.01) removed TDS, BOD, COD, TKN, PO43-, Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+, Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn of the paper mill effluent after the phytoremediation. The removal of different pollutants from the paper mill effluent was gradually increased at lower concent...

Dynamic Modeling of an Activated Sludge Process: Case Study on Paper Mill Effluents

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to propose a step by step method to establish and validate a relevant, dynamical model of the activated sludge process for the paper mill industry. The model is established by considering the specificities of the effluent to be treated. It uses the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) measurement, which allows a direct correlation between the state variables of the model and the measurements. This model is validated on a pilot plant of semi-industrial size fed with industrial paper mill effluents. The parameter estimation is based on an analysis of the sensitivities. The results are compared with a model based on chemical oxygen demand (COD) partitioning which is issued from the simplification of the activated sludge model number 1 (ASM1) model. Finally, the model dealing with BOD measurements not only shows the best performances, but is also the easiest to implement, overcoming one main obstacle to efficient monitoring and control in paper mill wastewater treatment plants.

Enhanced Separation of the Organic Fraction from Paper Mill Effluent for Energy Recovery

In this study pre-treatment of pulp and paper mill sludge was investigated to enhance the energy recovery by anaerobic digestion. Two approaches were followed using hydrolytic enzymes or microbiological treatment at 30 °C. In the first attempt, anaerobic digestion of the whole sludge, no significant improvement of the methane production potential was found. In the second test series only the liquid phase after pre-treatment and solids separation was anaerobically degraded. This option provided up to ten times increased methane production compared to the untreated sample. Sludge mass reduction between 6 and 13 % was achieved after pre-treatment. Moreover this concept can be easily integrated in the established wastewater treatment scheme utilizing an existing upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor.

Reusing pulp and paper mill effluent as a bioresource to produce biohydrogen through ultrasonicated Rhodobacter sphaeroides

Pulp and paper industry is a water-intensive industry. This industry commonly produces considerable amount of effluent, especially from virgin raw materials processing. The effluent, namely pulp and paper mill effluent has the potential to adversely affect the receiving watercourses. However, the nutrients in the pulp and paper mill effluent could be reused as a substrate in biohydrogen production. In this study, photofermentative biohydrogen production was investigated using Rhodobacter sphaeroides and pulp and paper mill effluent as a substrate. An application of low power ultrasound on R. sphaeroides was predicted to increase photofermentative biohydrogen production but excessive ultrasound effects might inhibit the production due to possible cell disruption. Hence, various ultrasonication duration (5, 10 and 15min) and amplitude (15%, 30% and 45%) were applied on the bacteria to determine the recommended ultrasonication conditions for improving biohydrogen production. The recommended conditions were operated at ultrasonication amplitude and duration of 30% and 10min, respectively. A maximum biohydrogen yield of 9.62mL bioH2/mL medium was obtained under this condition, which was 66.7% higher than the result obtained using R. sphaeroides without undergoing ultrasonication (control). The light efficiency and cell concentration were increased by 67% and 150%, respectively, using ultrasonication amplitude and duration of 30% and 10min, respectively as compared to the control. The present results demonstrated that moderate power of ultrasonication applied on R. sphaeroides was an effective method for enhancing photofermentative biohydrogen production using raw pulp and paper mill effluent as a bioresource.

Glucose level influences breeding cycle in catfishes

The effect of sub-lethal concentration of paper mill effluents on glucose level in blood of Heteropneusts fossilis has been recorded. The glucose content of blood was measured. The changes were observed to be statistically significant (P&lt;0.05, P&lt;0.01 in all the three phases of breeding cycle)

Effect of soil irrigation with paper mill effluent on vegetative growth and biochemical content in plant parts ofBrassica campestris cvT-59

Brassica campestris cv T-59 was grown in soil irrigated with different diluted doses of paper mill effluent, two months crop exhibited a decline in vegetative growth and yield in terms of length of root, shoot, number of leaves, leaf area, number of flower and pod and grain, while, total carbohydrate, nitrogen content in plant parts was increased and total protein level was variably influenced i.e., decline at 100 per cent an increase at 10 per cent. Level of chlorophyll in leaf was also increased at 10 per cent dose.

Biosorption of pulp and paper mill effluent by Emericella nidulans: isotherms, kinetics and mechanism

In this study, a fungus, Emericella nidulans (anamorph: Aspergillus nidulans), isolated from the sediments of a drain carrying effluent of pulp and paper mill, was used for biosorption of colour from pulp and paper mill effluent. The fungus turned dark brown in colour after treatment. Thus, its biosorption potential was studied in detail. The surface of the fungus was characterized by SEM and FT-IR analysis. The effect of change in pH, temperature, inoculum’s size, contact time and initial concentration on colour adsorption was studied. The equilibrium data were studied using Freundlich, Langmuir, Elovich and Temkin equations. Best fitting model was Freundlich, used to describe heterogeneous systems. The pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order were used to fit adsorption data in the kinetic studies. The results showed that kinetics was best described by pseudo-second-order model. A detailed error analysis was undertaken. The mechanism of biosorption was governed by both external mass transport and intraparticle diffusion. The negative value of Gibbs energy change (ΔG°) indicates that the process was feasible and spontaneous. The value of activation energy (Ea) showed chemical adsorption, and positive value of isosteric heat of adsorption (ΔHr) indicated that the process was endothermic. Adsorbents capable of removing pollutants from waste stream are widely applied in treating wastewater.

Isolation and Screening of Fungi for Delignification of Paper Mill Effluent

Isolation and Screening of Fungi for Delignification of Paper Mill Effluent

A Review on Western Yamuna Canal Water Quality Upstream and Downstream of Yamunanagar, Industrial Town

Yamuna Nagar is a city in the Indian state of Haryana. It is located south-east of the state capital Chandigarh. This town is known for the cluster of plywood units. It is also known for providing the country’s finest timber to even larger industries. The older town is called Jagadhri. It used to be a green, clean and prosperous industrial city. However, due to recent spur in Industrial units in and around the city have resulted in severe air, water and soil pollution issues. Yamuna Nagar has the river Yamuna running through the district, and forming the eastern boundary with the neighbouring Saharanpur district. This boundary is also a state boundary, as Saharanpur is in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The district also separates the Yamuna system from the Satluj river system. Yamuna’s pollution starts from Tajewala in the upper segment. Here two canals, the Western Yamuna Canal (WYC) and the Eastern Yamuna Canal (EYC), divert river waters into Haryana and Uttar Pradesh (UP). The WYC crosses Yamuna Nagar, Karnal and Panipat before reaching the Haiderpur treatment plant (which supplies part of Delhi’s water), receiving wastewater from Yamuna Nagar and Panipat. The WYC at Yamuna Nagar, and rejoins the canal about 80 km downstream at Karnal. All domestic and industrial discharges from the effluents of paper mill, sugar mill, metal industries, distilleries, starch mill etc. are let out into this canal located at Yamunanagar. The water has a bad odour and contains a high amount of metal content, beside a high content of B.O.D. The water samples were collected at regular intervals from various strategic points at the exit of effluents from various industries. The parameters studied were temperature, pH, turbidity, solids, hardness, chloride content, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, turbidity, conductivity, total E. coli, fungi, etc. These contaminants have contributed the water unfit for drinking.

Effect of Pulp and Paper Mill Effluent on Blood Morphology of Fresh Water Fish in Tarai Region of Uttarakhand

The present paper deals with the toxicity of common mixed industrial effluent of Tarai Region of Uttarakhand on the blood morphology of an important fresh water fish (Cyprinus carpio var. communis). When fish was exposed to 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 per cent effluent concentrations, various morphological changes were observed but the changes were less in the specimens treated with 3, 4 and 5per cent effluent concentration compared to 6 and 7per cent. In fish exposed to 3, 4 and 5per cent concentrations, the formation of tear drop cell, binucleated cell, microcytes, spherocytes, roulex cell, sickle cell, agglutinated cells and rupturing of donnanens membrane in the cells were observed but in fishes exposed to 6 and 7 per cen effluent concentration the agglutination of hemoglobin, membrane degeneration and formation of elliptocyts, hemoglobin crystal, stomatocytes, ovalocytes, and inclusion bodies were found.