BOD & COD Reduction from Textile Wastewater Using Bio-Augmented HDPE Carriers

Textile wastewater effluents are considered one of the most polluting sources, among all industrial sectors, in terms of both effluent volume and composition, with high BOD and COD values. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) represents the amount of oxygen consumed by bacteria and other microorganisms in decomposing organic matter under aerobic conditions. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) represents the measurement of the oxygen required to oxidize soluble and particulate organic matter in water. The main goal of the present study was the investigation in reduction of both BOD and COD concentrations, in a textile wastewater source, using bio-augmented MBBR specific HDPE carriers (composition: 5% talc, 7% cellulose and 88% High-Density-Polyethylene). The HDPE carriers were bio-augmented in an experimental laboratory installation with five fungi microbial strains (either as a mix or individual strain): 3 own microbial isolates (from decaying wood source) and 2 collection strains, namely Cerioporus squamosus (Basidiomycota phylum) and Fusarium oxysporum (Ascomycota phylum). Results showed a reduction rate of COD value of 53.45%, of HDPE carriers bio-augmented in the experimental laboratory installation (mix inoculation), and BOD reduction rates between 28% (carriers bio-augmented with isolate #2) and 61% (carriers bio-augmented with Cerioporus squamosus strain).