Enhancing Olive Mill Wastewater Treatment: A Study of pH Influence in Multi-Step Column
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Abstract
Olive mill wastewater (OMW), a byproduct of olive oil production, presents significant environmental challenges due to its high organic load and non-biodegradable polyphenols. In Libya, untreated OMW is frequently discharged into the environment, impacting soil and water quality. This study evaluates the pollution potential of OMW and examines a multi-step treatment process utilizing natural materials. The system comprised three columns: the first filled with iron slag and sand, and the second and third with activated carbon prepared from dried olive leaves. Parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), and total phenols (TP) were monitored. Results demonstrated significant improvements in water quality under basic pH conditions, with reductions in EC (61.9%), TDS (62.9%), and turbidity (99.8%) and complete removal of BOD5. However, the reduction in TP was lower, showing a decrease of 43.2%. In contrast, the treatment without pH control achieved lower removal efficiencies for EC (50.5%), TDS (51.5%), and turbidity (97.1%), but a higher reduction in TP (80.9%). The lower TP removal at basic pH is due to phenol deprotonation, weakening adsorption. Acidic conditions improved turbidity removal but were less effective for EC, TDS, and BOD5. pH influences adsorption and microbial activity, impacting treatment efficiency. This multi-step approach offers a promising solution for OMW treatment, reducing its environmental impact and enabling reuse in irrigation.
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References
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