Phytoremediation of Palm Oil Mill Effluent Using E. Crassipes

Nur Syakina, Jamali (2013) Phytoremediation of Palm Oil Mill Effluent Using E. Crassipes. [Final Year Project Report] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

The oil palm industry has always been linked with the environment. The wastes generated from palm oil mill effluent (POME), comprises mainly organic compounds have significant impact on the environment if not properly managed. The current 20 mg/L BOD requirement of POME discharged into a watercourse imposed by the DOE in some sensitive areas, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, is difficult to comply. With low cost ecofriendly technology known as phytoremediation using E. crassipes, this research aims to reduce the pollutant concentrations in POME by analyzed the plants ability to absorb the organic contaminants in the POME as a potential biological treatment. This research was conducted by varies the effects of pH, plants to POME ratio and retention time on the BOD, COD and TSS of POME. From this research, E. crassipes was able to reduce the BOD from a level of approximately 40 to 42 mg/L to a level of approximately 20 to 23 mg/L after 7 days for all conditions efficiently which meets the DOE discharge standard of 20 mg/L. TSS of POME increased gradually at 700 mg/L after 21 days at all conditions. COD level was found to decrease in 7 days at all conditions and the highest COD reduction was observed to be at condition of pH 6 with ratio 1: 20 plant to POME ratio at 40.33 mg/L reduction after 14 days. Therefore, it could be concluded that E. crassipes have high potential to reduce the BOD level in order to meet the DOE discharge standard and at the same time able to reduce COD within 7 days at all conditions. Overall, phytoremediation technique in treating POME using E. crassipes plant could be described as highly promising and efficient. It is therefore recommended that E. crassipes plant to be implemented to improve the water quality.

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