Effects of nymphaea caerulea on wastewater quality from palm oil production

Palm oil industry is the most important agro-industry in Malaysia, but its byproduct– palm oil mill effluent (POME), posed a great threat to water environment. Although the palm oil industry has applied biological treatment for POME, it still faces challenge of balancing the environmental protection, its economic viability and sustainable development. This experiment was carried out to examine the feasibility of POME treatment by using Nymphaea Caerulea. The sample was obtained from LCSB Oil Palm Plantation in Lepar Hilir and analysis would be conducted at University Malaysia Pahang in laboratory scale. The aquatic plant was collected from Semuji Agro Resort. The objectives of this experiment are to study the feasibility of aquatic plants in POME treatment for POME at stage 7 and to investigate treatment efficiency by using optimal design condition whereby emphasis is placed on waste water circulation. The presence of circulation in this experiment is to enhance the kinetic process, as compared to control. The sample is tested on day 1, day 3 and day 5. The parameters to be evaluated include BOD, COD, pH, TSS and Oil and Grease. From overall experiment, the highest percentage removal of BOD is 76%, COD is 62%, TSS is 56%, Oil and Grease is 84.7%. The specimen of plant can reduce the pH level. It is shown that in the presence of Nymphaea Caerulea that is supplemented with circulation can improve the water quality with five days of retention time compared to control