Vermifilters: a tool for aerobic biological treatment of herbal pharmaceutical wastewater

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (9) ◽  
pp. 2375-2380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharda Dhadse ◽  
Shanta Satyanarayan ◽  
P. R. Chaudhari ◽  
S. R. Wate

Herbal pharmaceutical wastewater possesses high chemical oxygen demand (COD) (21,960–26,000 mg/l) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (11,200–15,660 mg/l) and suspended solids (SS) (5,460–7,370 mg/l). It cannot be directly discharged into surface water bodies, due to its highly biodegradable nature. Herbal pharmaceutical wastewater has been treated by using vermifilter, which is an ecosystem consisting of biosoil with bacteria and earthworms producing vermicastings. In the present studies a cost-effective, eco-friendly and sustainable method has been applied for the treatment of herbal pharmaceutical wastewater using earthworms. Studies were carried out at different organic loadings, ranging between 0.8 and 3.2 kg COD/m3day at three different hydraulic loadings of 1, 2 and 4 days. Vermifilters packed with 1:1:1 ratio of soil, sand and vermicast as media matrix along with the twenty adult earthworms in each reactor was used for the experiments. Treated effluent was colour and odour free. Efficient COD/BOD removals in the range of 85.44%–94.48% and 89.77%–96.26% were obtained respectively at 2 days hydraulic retention time (HRT). Heavy metal removals were also observed and no sludge production problem was encountered, only nutrient rich vermicast from the filters were removed and analysed after the experiments. It showed higher manurial value than control in terms of available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) and were in the range of 178.75–278.75 Kg/hectare available nitrogen, 16.128–50.4 kg/hectare of available phosphorus and 19.3–28.6 kg/hectare of available potassium at maximum HRT and at different organic loadings. This paper discusses in detail the feasibility of vermifilters in herbal pharmaceutical wastewater treatment at different organic and hydraulic loadings.

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elina Strade ◽  
Daina Kalnina

Abstract Pharmaceutical wastewater biological treatment plants are stressed with multi-component wastewater and unexpected variations in wastewater flow, composition and toxicity. To avoid operational problems and reduced wastewater treatment efficiency, accurate monitoring of influent toxicity on activated sludge microorganisms is essential. This paper outlines how to predict highly toxic streams, which should be avoided, using measurements of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), if they are made in a wide range of initial concentration. The results indicated that wastewater containing multivalent Al3+ cations showed a strong toxic effect on activated sludge biocenosis irrespectively of dilutions, while toxicity of phenol and formaldehyde containing wastewater decreased considerably with increasing dilution. Activated sludge microorganisms were not sensitive to wastewater containing halogenated sodium salts (NaCl, NaF) and showed high treatment capacity of saline wastewater. Our findings confirm that combined indicators of contamination, such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), alone do not allow evaluating potential toxic influence of wastewater. Obtained results allow identifying key inhibitory substances in pharmaceutical wastewater and evaluating potential impact of new wastewater streams or increased loading on biological treatment system. Proposed method is sensitive and cost effective and has potential for practical implementation in multiproduct pharmaceutical wastewater biological treatment plants.


The study was conducted in the nursery of Hort. Dept., College of Agriculture and Forestry, Mosul University, Iraq, during 2018 season to study the response of budded "Zaghinia" apricot on seedlings rootstock to bio, organic and chemical fertilizers, and their effects on seedling growth. The studied factors were as follows: Bio fertilizer Fulzyme (0,1and 2 g. seedling-1 ), organic fertilizer (Rice residue) (0, 1 and 2 kg. seedling-1 ) and DAP fertilizers (0, 5 and 10 g. seedling-1 ). The study was performed by using split-split plots within factorial experiment in randomized complete block design (RCBD), with 3 factors and 3 replicates, by using 6 seedlings for each treatment. Treatment means were compared by using Duncan multiple levels at 5% p. the most important results obtained were as follows: 1 and 2 gm.seedling-1 of bio fertilizer (Fulzyme) and Chemical fertilizer (DAP) at the levels 5 and 10 g. seedling-1 affected significantly resulted in a significant increase in soil available nitrogen, while the addition of organic fertilizer (rice residues) and for both levels 1 and 2 kg. Seedling-1 gave a significant increase in nitrogen, phosphorus, ready-made potassium and pH of the seedling soil, and the bilateral interaction had a significant role in the growth of seedlings, especially the treatment of the interaction between the fertilizer (Fulzym) and organic fertilizer (Rice residues), which have a significant effect in giving the best results in available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the soil, and the triple interference also gave a significant increase in all studied traits.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 624-631
Author(s):  
Vijaya Kumar Kallushettihalli Mallappa ◽  
Vijaya Kumara

The present study was carried out to determine the periodic variation in physico-chemical characteristics of mangrove soil samples. The soil samples had been accrued from four distinctive places of Kundapura mangrove areas in three seasons, monsoon, pre-monsoon and post-monsoon. Soil analysis pertaining to various variables such as total Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, pH and Electrical conductivity. Soil pH is assorted from 3.84 to 6.66. Electrical conductivity is assorted from 0.02 dSm-1 to 9.60 dSm-1. Available nitrogen is assorted from 30.7 kg/ha to 323 kg/ha. Available phosphorus concentration has ranged between 1.37 kg/ha and 47.27 kg/ha. Available potassium is differed from 117.43 kg/ha to 537.63 kg/ha. The results confirmed variations in all of the analyzed parameters of the soils amassed from four stations.


Author(s):  
Abhay Kumar ◽  
M. S. Malik ◽  
P. R. Oraon ◽  
Rakesh Kumar ◽  
Sheela Barla ◽  
...  

A two year experiment was conducted during kharif and rabi season of 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 at experimental site near Faculty of Forestry in main campus of Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. Sole cropping and gamhar based agrisilviculture systems with four different intercrops (arhar, cowpea, greengram and mustard) were under investigation. To study the overall scenario of soil properties under agrisilviculture system, soil samples were analysed at different profile depths (0-15 and 15-30 cm) to measure the changes in soil properties under the influence of gamhar (Gmelina arborea) tree and intercrops grown in between. Soil pH, electrical conductivity (dsm-1), organic carbon (%), available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (kg ha-1) were found higher at the soil depth 0-15 cm as compared to 15-30 cm due to addition of organic residue on the surface soil. Soil OC, available N, P and K in 0-15 cm as well as in 15-30 cm profile was found to be statistically significant. It showed an increase from initial value in all the treatments in 2016-17 and 2017-18. The increase was more in gamhar based agrisilviculture system than in sole tree and sole crops in both the years.


Author(s):  
Prashant Joshi ◽  
Dhiraj Kadam ◽  
Mayur Gawande ◽  
Vishal Maval

The present investigation was carried out to determine soil and leaf nutritional status of some typical healthy and declined mandarin orchards of Amravati District (M.S) during 2016-19.Total twenty five representative surface and depth wise soil and leaf samples from healthy and declined mandarin orchards were collected and analyzed various nutrients in plant as well as leaf samples. The data analysis showed that total nitrogen content in healthy and declined mandarin orchards from surface soils varied from 0.045 to 0.093 % and 0.015 to 0.37% respectively. The available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content of healthy orchards surface soils varied from 200.0 to 265.7 kg ha-1 , 22.0 to 35.3 kg ha-1 , 320.0 to 665.0 kg ha-1 and in declined orchards it varied from 130.4 to 203.5 kg ha-1 , 17.8 to 21.3 kg ha-1 , 360.0 to 744.4 kg ha-1 respectively. The exchangeable calcium and magnesium together constitute more than 80% of exchange complex. The exchangeable calcium, magnesium and sulphur content in healthy orchards surface soils varied from 26.34 to 30.22 cmol (p+ ) kg ha-1 , 11.71 to 16.92 cmol (p+ ) kg ha-1 , 0.27 to 0.90 kg ha-1 and in declined orchards it varied from 29.00 to 31.98 cmol (p+ ) kg ha-1 , 12.07 to 13.71 cmol (p+ ) kg ha-1 , 0.36 to 0.69 kg ha-1 respectively. Micronutrients status of orange orchards showed that available copper, zinc, iron and manganese in healthy orchards surface soils varied from 2.20 to 5.60 ppm, 0.50 to 0.79 ppm, 4.50 to 6.29 ppm, 12.61 to 18.11 ppm and in declined orchards it varied from 1.90 to 2.48 ppm, 0.35 to 0.46 ppm, 3.40 to 5.00 ppm, 8.10 to 12.24 ppm respectively. Findings revealed that total nitrogen, available nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, zinc and manganese content found more supporting in healthy orchards than declined ones. Depth wise distribution showed that total nitrogen, available nitrogen, phosphorus and copper showed decreasing trend with the soil depth. The leaf nutrient content in the plant showed that nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in leaf of healthy orchards varied from 2.35 to 2.55%, 0.14 to 0.17%, 0.82 to 1.00% and in declined orchards it varied from 1.75 to 2.00%, 0.10 to 0.13%, and 0.84 to 1.70% respectively. Calcium, magnesium and sulphur content in healthy orchards varied from 3.00 to 3.90%, 0.60 to 0.74%, 0.21 to 0.19% and in declined orchards it ranged from 2.40 to 3.15%, 0.33 to 0.74%, and 0.19 to 0.23% respectively. Results pertaining to micronutrient showed that iron; manganese, copper and zinc in healthy orchards varied from 105.6 to 140.6 ppm, 21.72 to 34.62 ppm, 29.40 to 35.96 ppm, 30.45 to 39.18 ppm, and in declined orchards it varied from 70.66 to 100.00 ppm, 20.38 to 27.67 ppm, 21.72 to 26.05 ppm, and 17.24 to 25.00 ppm respectively. Results showed that a healthy orchard has significantly higher content of nutrient than declined orchards except potassium content


Author(s):  
A. G. Gurin ◽  
S. V. Rezvyakova ◽  
N. Yu. Revin

The study aimed to estimate seasonal dynamics of soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium under the influence of sod grasses in a sod-dressing intercropped orchard. The trial was conducted in a Welsey apple 1987-year orchard. Trees were planted at 8×6 m, cultivar seedlings used as rootstock. Red clover and meadow timothy in variant shares were used for interrow sodding. The cereal—legume intercropping was done in 2015, preceded by a 180 kg/ha active substance phosphorus-potassium dressing in reserve. Nitrogen was applied annually prior to growing season at 34.4 kg/ha active substance. Grass biomass in first hay cutting was the highest and comprised 45.3-49.9 % total mass. A total four cuttings dry mass was 3.36-7.10 t/ha depending on scheme. The maximum biomass was registered for the schemes with red clover and meadow timothy at ratios 1:1 and 7:3 (6.52 and 7.10 t/ha). In the growing period, grass depleted soil for 111.1—219.9 kg/ha nitrogen, 21.5-42.7 kg/ha phosphorus and 209.3—380.8 kg/ha potassium. Such consumptions suggest a serious competition for soil nutrients between grass vegetation and fruit trees. The available phosphorus and potassium content was independent of interrow dressing schemes. Inter-scheme differences did not exceed experimental bias due to presowing phosphorus and potassium application in reserve before trial. By first cutting, the nitrate nitrogen soil content in sodding schemes was 1.5-2-fold less vs. bare fallow, i.e. more nitrogen is used by vegetating grass, and its available forms recover slower than being consumed.


2013 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 855-861 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Lefebvre ◽  
X. Shi ◽  
C. H. Wu ◽  
H. Y. Ng

Pharmaceutical wastewater generated by an antibiotics (penicillin) company was treated by aerobic membrane bioreactors (MBRs) and sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). At a low organic loading rate of 0.22 kg-COD m−3d−1, both types of reactors were capable of treating the wastewater such that the treated effluent met the discharge regulation except for the total dissolved solids. However, when the loading rate was increased to 2.92 kg-COD m−3d−1, foaming issues resulted in unstable performance. Overall, the MBRs achieved better solid removal but the SBRs performed better in regards to the degradation of aromatic compounds, as determined by UV absorbance (UVA). Finally, ozonation was applied on two different streams and showed promise on the strong stream – that corresponds to the formulation effluent and contains most of the biorefractory compounds. Ozonation successfully reduced the UVA, lowered the pH and increased the biochemical oxygen demand : chemical oxygen demand (BOD5 : COD) ratio of the strong stream. However, it was less efficient on the effluent having undergone pre-treatment by a biofilter due to a lack of selectivity towards refractory compounds.


2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruiter Lima Morais ◽  
Luane Ferreira Garcia ◽  
Emily Kussmaul Gonçalves Moreno ◽  
Douglas Vieira Thomaz ◽  
Laís De Brito Rodrigues ◽  
...  

The elimination of residual drugs from pharmaceutical and domestic sources is a growing concern, as they are able to reach water and soil resources and can present environmental and health risks even in very low concentrations. Traditional water and wastewater treatment systems have not been efficient in the removal of these compounds, evidencing the importance of the development of new remediation methods. In view of the applicability and versatility of electrocoagulation techniques in the removal of pollutants, the aim of this work is to evaluate the parameters:  biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), color, turbidity, algestone acetophenide (AAc) and estradiol enanthate (EEn) using a pilot treatment system, as well as phytotoxicity and Brine shrimp toxicity. The study showed good removal efficiency, comprising remarkable remediation performance assayed through BOD (61.5%), COD (58.6%), color (83.1%), turbidity (96.7%), AAc (77.0%) and EEn (56.7%) after 30 minutes. For toxicity, raw effluent was considered more phytotoxic for lettuce and cucumber seeds when compared to treated effluent.  The results suggest that the pilot prototype was promising, providing an increase in both the germination potential and the root growth of the seeds (Lactuca sativa and Cucumis sativus) and a significant decrease in the acute toxicity to Artemia salina.


2011 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. J. Lei ◽  
X. B. Wang ◽  
C. Song ◽  
F. H. Li ◽  
X. R. Wang

Ruthenium-based catalysts were prepared by a saturation-dip method. Their catalytic activity was evaluated by a catalytic wet oxidation (CWO) process. The ruthenium-based catalysts were used to purify organic pharmaceutical wastewater with high concentration pyridine and pyridine derivatives that have high chemical oxygen demand (COD). In the CWO process, organic pharmaceutical wastewater was continuously pumped into fixed-bed reactors filled with Ru-based catalysts, while the organic components in wastewater were catalytically degraded by oxygen at high temperatures and pressures (temperature, 170–300 °C; pressure, 1.0–10 MPa). The experimental results showed that the prepared catalysts could effectively purify pharmaceutical wastewater with high concentration organic components, which are difficult to degrade biochemically, and that the removal rates of both COD and total nitrogen were over 99%.


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