Removal of nutrients and organic matter from dairy effluent by flooded built hybrid system in Londrina - Paraná

Abstract

The treatment of industrial wastewater is of paramount importance to prevent pollution of water bodies. Wastewater from dairy industries are highly polluting because they have high load of organic matter and nutrients. This paper presents the development of a hybrid constructed wetland system in bench scale for the treatment of wastewater from a dairy industry located in Londrina, PR. The system was operated for 90 days with focus on the evaluation of the nutrient and organic matter removal efficiency. The system worked with 24 hour cycles with an organic load (COD) of 3.0 Kg.d-1. The removal efficiency of COD was in the range of 79 – 97%; the removal efficiency of NKT was in the range of 81 – 100% and the removal efficiency of COD of phosphorus was in the range of 73% – 100%. Statistical tests showed that vertical flow wetland showed little removal efficiency, but it decreases the variability and increases system reliability.