Poultry processing
wastewater (PPW) is a nutrient-rich
effluent
with the potential for reuse in crop irrigation. This study investigated
transforming PPW into a hydroponic nutrient solution using a pilot
scale “poultryponics” system operated continuously for
222 days. The system treated ∼57 L d–1 of
real PPW and consisted of bioreactors (inoculated with a consortium
of microalgae and nitrifying bacteria), clarifiers, membrane filters,
a UV disinfection unit, and a deep-water hydroponic system. The system
was evaluated in terms of nitrogen transformation, organic removal
efficiency, and pathogen levels. Although soluble organic removal
efficiencies (sCOD) were high (>80%) in all bioreactors, nitrification
was limited due to high organic loading (350–800 mg sCOD L–1), relatively short retention time (24 h), and low
dissolved oxygen levels (<3.5 mg O2 L–1). Grow beds showed significant nitrification, indicating the importance
of upstream organic removal. CO2 supplementation (0.5%
v/v) in bioreactors did not promote nitrification in the bioreactors
but was beneficial for nitrification in grow beds due to pH-modulating
effects. Microbiological analyses showed no Salmonella detection in bioreactors and substantial reductions in total coliform
(∼40%) and aerobic plate counts (∼30%) after UV treatment.
These findings demonstrate the sustainable and safe reuse of nutrient-rich
industrial effluents in agriculture.