TREATMENT OF INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER BY USING ECO-FRIENDLY TECHNIQUE

Abstract

The textile industry is one of the major industries and work as the backbone of economy of Pakistan. It employs thousands of people without any education. It plays important role in the economy of every country around the world. The textile industry has high importance when it comes to the environment because it consumes many environmental resources such as water. Also, it produces a large amount of wastewater which is then discharged into the environment and causes environmental pollution. In this study, Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil seeds) and Tamarindus indica seeds have been evaluated as an active natural coagulant for the removal of pollutants from textile wastewater. The change in pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Electrical conductivity, TDS, COD, and heavy metals/pollutants were analyzed. Also, the dye concentration was found to be the most important parameter affecting color removal. Pollutant removal efficiency was obtained by using a low number of coagulants. The mucilage of O. basilicum and the powder of T. indica seeds were found to be highly effective in treating textile wastewater as a sole coagulant. The results show that these coagulants help to reduce heavy metals from 0.16 ppm to 0.02 ppm. Utilization of these natural coagulants was found to be suitable, easier, cost-effective, and environment friendly for textile waste water treatment.