High organic loading rate and waste stabilization pond’s operation efficiency: a case study

Abstract

Liquid waste management is an important component of sanitation activities. Waste stabilization pond system is very low cost, easy for maintenance and the stabilized water outflowing from the system can be used for irrigation purposes in agriculture, horticulture, etc. The affect of high organic loading rate and occurrence reasons of purple sulfur bacteria (PSB) in waste stabilization ponds were investigated. Chemical parameters which affect on PSB growth like COD, and hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) were observed monthly. The mixed culture populations of PSB were considered and determined by spectro-photometric method. The cell suspension was whitish pink when elemental sulfur globules occurred inside the cells, and turned purplish red once the globules were consumed. The measurement of flow was carried out by means of a Partial flume in which located at the inlet channel. Measurement of flow was done simultaneously with wastewater sampling. The measured average of COD concentration of raw wastewater with around 1520.33 mg/l was much higher than the expected design concentration of 550 mg/l, respectively, for COD. Thus, the raw wastewater in Hoveizeh can be classified as a high strength in terms of COD. Results showed that the PSB dominated in two periods, which the first was in midsummer (in primary facultative pond) and the second was in midwinter (in tertiary facultative pond). This condition was occurred by high organic loading rate (OLR) and high concentration of H 2 S which were caused overcoming of the PSB over algae. Results showed that the OLR was the main affecting parameters in the overcoming of PSB. It could be suggested that by upgrading the capacity of the Hoveizeh facility (constructing parallel ponds), the problem caused by the purple sulfur bacteria could be dominantly reduced.

An assessment of using anaerobic baffled reactor to upgrade wastewater stabilization ponds: a pilot study

“…Since stabilization ponds treating domestic wastewater are operated effi ciently, they would be introduced as a sustainable unit especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Also, little required technology makes them an appropriate method for developing countries like Iran where suffi cient land and sunlight intensify their popularity [1][2][3][4][5]. Yet, reliable and effi cient operation is considerably dependant on a wide range of environmental conditions.…”

“…These units are open and the whole gas generated such as methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen can be emitted freely to the atmosphere [8,9]. Second, the specifi c aerobic-anaerobic culture can be dominated in facultative pond rallied to organic matter decomposition [2,4,6]. The treatment process is formed by the complex symbiosis of different types of bacteria and algae species.…”

“…Nevertheless, their abundance would deteriorate the symbiosis of living beings from algae to bacteria. It is found that the increasing of organic loads would reduce the number of green algae and increase the PSBs [2,14,22]. Recently, a case study has been carried out over a WSP in Hoveizeh city, Iran [2].…”

“…It is found that the increasing of organic loads would reduce the number of green algae and increase the PSBs [2,14,22]. Recently, a case study has been carried out over a WSP in Hoveizeh city, Iran [2]. According to the results, the treatment facility is reported to be widely encountered with PSB bloom in the facultative ponds.…”

“…According to the results, the treatment facility is reported to be widely encountered with PSB bloom in the facultative ponds. This trait is recognized to be attributed to the high organic loading rate incoming to the treatment plant [2].…”