Optimization of Coagulation–Flocculation Treatment for Fish Farm Effluent Using Green Coagulants and Recovery of the Produced Sludge
Sajjad Hatim Kadhim (University of Basrah)
Asia Fadhile Almansoory (University of Basrah)
Israa Abdulwahab Al-Baldawi (University of Baghdad)
Siti Rozaimah Sheikh Abdullah (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)
Karima F. Abbas (University of Karbala)
Muhammad Fauzul Imron (TU Delft - Sanitary Engineering, Universitas Airlangga)
Setyo Budi Kurniawan (National Research and Innovation Agency)
More Info
expand_more
Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.
Abstract
Treatment of wastewater effluent is essential to reduce environmental impact and keep surface water clean, meeting sustainable criteria. While plant-based coagulants are known for their eco-friendly profiles, their dual application for high-efficiency nutrient removal and subsequent sludge valorization in fish farm systems remain under-explored. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the optimum conditions for using natural coagulants to recover nutrients from fish farm effluent. Two types of natural coagulants, Alhagi graecorum leaves and apricot seeds, were evaluated for the treatment and recovery of nutrients from fish farm effluent due to their high removal efficiency, non-toxicity, and cost-effectiveness. In this study, optimization was performed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a Central Composite Design (CCD) to investigate the effects of three factors: coagulant concentration (1000–7000 mg/L), wastewater pH (5–9), and settling time (15–35 min). The primary responses measured were the removal efficiencies of phosphate (PO4) and nitrate (NO3). According to the CCD results, maximum removal efficiencies reached 92.63% and 73.49% for PO4 and NO3, respectively. The optimal conditions were identified as pH 5, 1000 mg/L coagulant concentration, and a 35 min settling time for A. graecorum, and pH 9, 1000 mg/L concentration, and a 15 min settling time for apricot seed. These findings establish the optimal conditions for using these natural substances as effective agents for sustainable wastewater treatment and nutrient recovery.
help_outline