This present study was conducted to determine the physico-chemical properties of sugarmill waste water. Samples were collected from Joypurhat sugarmill area. Different parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, DO, BOD, COD and Na , K , Ca2 , Mg2 , Cl﹣, SO42-, HCO3-etc. of these water samples were analyzed. There was a wide variation in waste water quality of before production and after production of sugarmill. This discharged waste water did not maintain standard values of inland surface water quality (according to Department of Environment, Bangladesh). Waste water from different sugarmills was also studied here. The waste water of Karu & Kong was better than other six sugarmills. This study was done to measure quality of sugarmill waste water and to know the effect of it on surrounding environment.
Sugar industries rank the second among the agro-based industries in Bangladesh. Sugar industry is seasonal in nature and operates only for 120 to 200 days in a year. The effluents released produce a high degree of organic pollution in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. They alter the physico-chemical characteristics of receiving aquatic bodies and affect aquatic flora & fauna [
Every industry in our country should maintain the Environment Conservation rules of Bangladesh (ECR, 1997) [
・ Characterization of Joypurhat sugarmill waste water (JSW) and to compare with the irrigation water of Bangladesh.
・ Comparative study on different sugarmill waste water.
・ Effect of sugarmill waste water on environment.
This study was done in area of Joypurhat sugarmill Ltd. which is situated at Joypurhat sador, in Joypurhat district at the time of 2014-2015. Location map of sampling site (Joypurhat sugarmill and different sugarmills) is shown in
Samples were collected in two turns. First, sampling was done before starting production activity of mill in the month of December, 2014. Second, sampling was done after production activity of mill become finished in the month of February, 2015. To get the actual condition of waste water mixture, two samples were collected from each station like light & heavy. Samples were numbered as St-1, St-2, St-3 & St-4 and nearby three pond’s samples were numbered as P-1, P-2, P-3. Samples were collected along the flow path of the effluent i.e., the drain. Here pond-1 is directly connected to the discharge path of sugarmill. One sample from Tulshi-gonga river (about 30 km north west away from JSW) as R-1 was collected. A locally used irrigation water (shallow pump) was also collected as a control sample which will be considered as background value. 500 ml PVC
bottles were used for sample collection. Waste water from six sugarmills was collected at the time of after production. Seven sugarmills studied in this project were situated in north-western part of Bangladesh.
The physical parameters (pH, EC, TDS, Turbidity, temperature) of collected water samples were measured in Institute of Mining, Mineralogy and Metallurgy (IMMM) laboratory. Temperature was measured immediately at the sampling site by a mercury thermometer of 0 to 50˚C range and with 0.2˚C least count [
The physico-chemical parameters such as DO, COD, BOD were measured by using related meters. BOD measurement was done in Dhaka laboratory, BCSIR using BOD Track Apparatus, HACH, USA. Fresh samples were used for DO and also for COD & BOD measurement. Dissolved Oxygen was measured by digital DO meter (model: DO 5509). COD was measured by chemical titration method in IMMM laboratory. Different chemical parameters i.e., cations, anions were measured in our laboratory. The cations Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+) were measured by Flame photometer (model: FP 902, PG instruments). Raw samples are used for sodium & potassium measurement. Calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg+) were measured by titrimetric method [
The physico-chemical, chemical properties of Joypurhat sugarmill waste water (JSW) were determined. Physico-chemical properties of waste water at before production and after production time were presented in
Temperature: Temperature is basically important for its effect on certain chemical and biological radiations taking place in water for organism and inhibiting aquatic media. Salequzzaman et al. [
pH: pH is the most important parameter of water for aquatic life and microbial activity. Before starting the mill the pH at the discharge point ranges 7.4 to 7.7 and after starting the mill the pH ranges 4.0 to 6.1. It was seen that after production time, pH of effluent water did not maintain the standard (6-9). Here
Temp (˚C) | pH | EC (μ/cm) | TDS ppm | DO (mg/l) | BOD mg/l | COD mg/l | Turbidity (FTU) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St-1 | 24.1 | 7.7 | 498 | 236 | 5.1 | 22 | 412.78 | 930.2 |
St-2 | 24.5 | 7.5 | 469 | 222 | 7.9 | 27 | 385.42 | 651.1 |
St-3 | 25.1 | 7.4 | 689 | 326 | 9.1 | 45 | 370.79 | 454.5 |
St-4 | 25.0 | 7.5 | 745 | 345 | 8.6 | 6.45 | 355.08 | 103.3 |
P-1 | 24.5 | 7.5 | 474 | 223 | 8.2 | 28 | 460.89 | 60.0 |
P-2 | 23.2 | 7.4 | 407 | 192 | 9.1 | 41 | 454.53 | 409.0 |
P-3 | 23.0 | 7.4 | 375 | 178 | 9.0 | 20 | 282.42 | 771.1 |
R-1 | 24.0 | 7.8 | 172 | 85 | 5.4 | 8.1 | 124.26 | 20.91 |
Sample ID | Temp (˚C) | pH | EC (μ/cm) | TDS ppm | DO (mg/l) | BOD mg/l | COD mg/l | Turbidity (FTU) | Colour |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St-1 | 23.9 | 4.0 | 4675 | 2572 | 2.6 | 69 | 673 | 863 | deep yellowish |
St-2 | 24.0 | 4.4 | 2190 | 1205 | 2.1 | 55 | 506 | 589 | dark brown |
St-3 | 24.0 | 4.8 | 2245 | 1235 | 0.3 | 128 | 521 | >1000 | brown to black |
St-4 | 24.0 | 5.0 | 2450 | 1348 | 0.4 | 105 | 519 | >1000 | Blackish |
P-1 | 24.0 | 6.1 | 3090 | 1699 | 2.8 | 98 | 612 | >1000 | Yellowish |
P-2 | 24.0 | 8.3 | 573 | 315 | 4.4 | 18 | 109 | 40.81 | Colourless |
P-3 | 24.1 | 7.3 | 570 | 314 | 6.6 | 20 | 114 | 0.00 | light greenish |
R-1 | 24.2 | 7.1 | 365 | 245 | 6.2 | 8.9 | 68 | 5.6 | Turbid |
Control | 24.1 | 6.9 | 193.4 | 106.37 | 4.7 | 8.3 | 48 | 2.1 | Colorless |
pH of control sample was 7.2.
Electrical conductivity: The EC of water is an indicator of salinity and hazard that gives the total salt concentration in water (Brady and Well, 2002) [
Turbidity: Turbidity ranges from 109 - 930 FTU at before production time. After production time turbidity was found over 1000 FTU. Too much turbid water is not suitable for aquatic flora and fauna because sunlight cannot pass through the turbid water.
Total Dissolved Solid: TDS also increase tremendously after production. Before starting TDS of effluent ranges 222 to 345 ppm and after production TDS ranges 1205 to 1699 ppm. According to DoE values of after production time are below the inland surface water standard (2100 ppm). TDS value of control sample (106 ppm) was lower than JSW.
Dissolved Oxygen: According to DoE standard, effluent should be within the range of 4.5 to 8 mg/l. After production time DO is almost absent that means at all stations the DO values are <1, only st-1 contains 2.6 mg/l. Before production time DO was good (range 5.1 - 9.1 mg/l). Control sample of that area has DO value 4.7 mg/l.
Biological Oxygen Demand: One of the most important parameter for aquatic life is BOD. After production time BOD ranges from 55 to 128 mg/l, which was 22 - 45 mg/l in before production time. Control sample of that area has BOD 8.3 mg/l. JSW should be <50 mg/l to discharge into the water body.
Chemical Oxygen Demand: It is another important parameter for aquatic life. During production time, this water contains higher COD values ranges from 506 to 673 mg/l. COD values decreases with the distance of flow path and st-1 contains highest COD values (673 mg/l). COD values of four stations were much higher than the control value (48 mg/l).
The chemical properties (cations & anions) of waste water at before and after production time were presented in
Sodium: There is a tremendous change in concentration of sodium at the time of before (16 - 38 ppm) and after production time (352 - 890 ppm). According to surface water standard the Na+ in fresh water should be 6.3 ppm [
Potassium: According to Garrels and Mackenzie the surface water standard
Before production | After production | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sample ID | Na2+ ppm | K+ ppm | Ca2+ ppm | Mg2+ ppm | Na+ ppm | K+ ppm | Ca2+ ppm | Mg2+ ppm |
St-1 | 17.5 | 18.5 | BDL | BDL | 475 | 242 | 460 | 141.6 |
St-2 | 16 | 12 | BDL | BDL | 352 | 206 | 400 | 206.4 |
St-3 | 18 | 17 | BDL | BDL | 890 | 210 | 188 | 93.6 |
St-4 | 38 | 20 | BDL | BDL | 508 | 212 | 240 | 7.2 |
P-1 | 25 | 14 | BDL | BDL | 653 | 167 | 200 | 0.00 |
P- 2 | 19 | 24 | BDL | BDL | 37 | 26 | 186 | 0.00 |
P-3 | 26 | 20 | BDL | BDL | 43 | 24 | 160 | 0.00 |
R-1 | 15 | 23 | BDL | BDL | 25 | 63 | 100 | 26.4 |
Control | 14.8 | 7.1 | 14.5 | 13.2 |
*BDL = Below detection limit.
Before production | After production | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sample ID | Cl− ppm | Cl− ppm | ||||
St-1 | 1.33 | 22.15 | 175.3 | 5.5 | 3500.69 | BDL |
St-2 | 0.44 | 15.51 | 198.25 | 2.0 | 700.14 | BDL |
St-3 | 0.51 | 64.25 | 259.25 | 1.63 | 443.12 | BDL |
St-4 | 0.18 | 70.90 | 207.4 | 1.88 | 664.69 | BDL |
P- 1 | 0.58 | 22.16 | 221.1 | 1.40 | 797.63 | BDL |
P- 2 | 0.00 | 44.31 | 230.2 | 0.00 | 221.56 | BDL |
P-3 | 0.00 | 60.90 | 0.00 | 230.02 | BDL | |
R-1 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 35.45 | BDL | |
Control | 44.32 | 41.18 |
the K+ in fresh water should be 2.3 ppm [
Calcium: According to surface water standard the Ca2+ in fresh water should be 15 ppm [
Magnesium: According to surface water standard the Mg2+ in fresh water should be 4.1 ppm [
Chlorides: According to surface water standard the Cl− in fresh water should be 7.8 ppm (Garrels and Mackenzie, 1971) [
Sulphates: According to surface water standard the SO 4 − in fresh water should be 11.2 ppm (Garrels and Mackenzie, 1971) [
Bicarbonates: Before production time conc. of bicarbonate was in range of 175.3 to 259.25 ppm. After production time HCO 3 − could not be detected by gravimetric method. According to surface water standard HCO 3 − in fresh water should be 58.4 ppm (Garrels and Mackenzie, 1971) [
Samples were collected from different stations such as along discharge path (st-1, 2, 3 & 4) and three from ponds (beside drain) and one from river (30 km away from discharge path). A wide variation was found in different parameters of JSW with stations. Graphical presentation of some important parameters of JSW is shown in
The water quality parameters of JSW were compared with DoE (Department of Environment) standard and inland surface water standard and comparison is shown in
Physico-chemical properties of seven sugarmills waste water were presented in
Each sugarmill studied in this project has waste water of very low pH or acidic in nature. Considering BOD it was seen that SESW > SHSW > NBSW > MSW > KASW > THSW > JSW. Among seven, waste water of Shetabgonj sugarmill was
Parameter | JSW water (after production) | Inland surface water | Irrigation water | Local irrigation water (control) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (˚C) | 23 - 24 | 40 | 20 - 30 | 24.1 |
pH | 4.0 - 6.1 | 6.0 - 9.0 | 6.5 - 8.5 | 7.2 |
DO (mg/l) | 0.3 - 2.8 | 4.5 - 8.0 | 5 or more | 4.7 |
EC (μ/cm) | 2190 - 3090 | 1200 | 700 - 3000 | 193.6 |
TDS (mg/l) | 1205 - 1699 | 2100 | 450 - 2000 | 106 |
BOD | 55 - 128 | 50 (sugar industry to discharge) | 10 or less | 8.3 |
COD | 506 - 673 | 48 |
(Source: ECR Act 1995 and Rules 1997).
Sample id | pH | EC μs/cm | TDS ppm | DO mg/l | BOD mg/l | COD mg/l |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
JSW | 4.6 | 2890 | 1590 | 0.3 | 89.25 | 554.75 |
NBSW | 6.7 | 1072 | 536 | 0.00 | 125 | 598 |
MSW | 6.6 | 440 | 220 | 0.00 | 114 | 560 |
SHSW | 4.4 | 387 | 193 | 0.00 | 128 | 498 |
SESW | 4.3 | 1792 | 896 | 0.00 | 139 | 603 |
THSW | 4.3 | 3420 | 1710 | 0.00 | 102 | 661 |
KASW | 3.9 | 518 | 259 | 0.00 | 104 | 98 |
JSW = Joypurhat sugarmill waste water, NBSW = North Bangle sugarmill waste water, MSW = Mahimagonj sugarmill waste water, SHSW = Shampur sugarmill waste water, SESW = Setabgonj sugarmill waste water, THSW = Thakurgon sugarmill waste water, KASW = Karu & Kong sugarmill waste water.
worser than any other sugarmill in with tremendous odor. DO value of seven sugarmills are nill which is alarming for aquatic life. In case of EC it was found that THSW > JSW > SESW > NBSW > KASW > MSW > SHSW. The waste water of MSW and KASW sugarmills were better than others because these two sugarmill have treatment plant. Six sugarmills of
Though sugarmill performs only 4 - 6 months, it does harm to surrounding environment. During production time, waste water discharges from Joypurhat sugarmill at a rate of 30.28 cubic meters per hour [
1. Due to high BOD, COD, low pH and zero level of DO, Joypurhat sugarmill waste water is not suitable for irrigational use. The waste water quality of this sugarmill is harmful for aquatic life. A suitable treatment method should be developed for this sugarmill.
2. If it is treated, it can be an essential source of irrigation water. Because Joypurhat sugarmill waste water is rich in sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium which can increase fertility status of soil.
3. Studying on different sugarmill waste water (considering BOD), the order was found as follows: SESW > SHSW > NBSW > MSW > KASW > THSW > JSW. The waste water of Mahimagonj sugarmill and Karu & Kong sugarmill was found better than other sugarmills because they have treatment plant. So, every sugarmill should have treatment plant.
We would like to thank Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) authority for giving financial support for this R & D (research and development) project. We also want to thank Director Dr. Nazim Zaman, Institute of Mining, Mineralogy and Metallurgy (IMMM), BCSIR, Joypurhat for his cooperation and inspiration. We are also grateful to the scientists, technicians and lab attendants for their support to complete this project.
Sultana, S., Ahmed, A.N., Sultana, S., Biswas, P.K., Saha, B. and Alam, S. (2017) Assessment on Water Quality of Waste Water in Sugar Industry and Its Impact on Environment. Open Access Library Journal, 4: e3455. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1103455