Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences Vol 17 No 3 (2013): 445 – 453

 

 

 

MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC MICROBIAL GRANULE FROM PALM OIL MILL EFFLUENT (POME)

 

(Pencirian Morfologi Granul Mikrob Fotosintetik Daripada Efluen Kilang Minyak Sawit (POME))

 

M.Z. Mohamed Najib¹, Z. Ujang², Salmiati²*

 

¹Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering,

 ²Institute of Environmental and Water Resource Management (IPASA),

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), 81310 Skudai Johor, Malaysia

 

*Corresponding author: salmiati@utm.my

 

 

Abstract

Presently, global warming is the most highlighted subjects in the environmental issues which relates closely to greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assigns only methane (CH₄) emissions to wastewater treatment rather than GHG emissions specifically carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas from the aerobic treatment processes. Focusing on the palm oil industry in Malaysia, the most commonly used treatment of palm oil mill effluent (POME) which is the conventional ponding system, has caused excessive generation of GHG such as CH₄ and CO₂ gases. To develop a novel, innovative and environmental-friendly mitigation method, this study explores into the possibility of growing the photosynthetic bacteria in the form of granules via the aerobic granulation process with potential applications in reducing CO₂ gases. The cultivation of photosynthetic microbial granules was investigated using POME as the substrate in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system via the sequencing cycle of feeding, reacting, settling and decanting. Evidence of the formation of granule was based on microscopic examination of the morphological changes during the development of the granule in the SBR system over a period of 90 days. It shows changes from dispersed loose structure of the sludge merging into small flocs of irregular shapes and finally into dense and compact granular form. The granule was formed by applying an organic loading rate (OLR) at 2.75 kg COD/m³.day, hydraulic retention time (HRT) at 4 h and superficial air velocity of 2.07 cm/s. The biomass concentration began to decreased first (initial sludge biomass = 16750 mg/L) and then increased steadily to a constant value of 32000 mg/L after 90 days. Besides, the results also demonstrated a good accumulation of biomass as the settleability between raw sludge and granule increased from 0.03 cm/s to 0.94 cm/s. The maximum settling velocity obtained in the reactor was approximately 2.0 cm/s.

 

Keywords: GHG, CO₂ gas, POME, granulation, photosynthetic bacteria, morphological change

 

References

1.       Chen, S.S. (2008). The LCA Approach to Illustrate Palm Oil’s Sustainability Advantage. International Palm Oil Sustainability Conference 2008.

2.       Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (2007). Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution Of Working Group I To The Fourth Assessment Report. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

3.       Hassan, M.A., Yacob, S. & Shirai, Y. (2004). Treatment of Palm Oil Wastewaters. Handbook of Industrial and Hazardous Waste Treatment (2_nd edition), Marcel Dekker Inc., N.Y., pp. 719-735.

4.       SIRIM (2008). Interim National LCI Database, National LCA Project, SIRIM, Shah Alam.

5.       Su, F., Lu, C., Chen, W., Bai, H., & Hwang, J. (2009). Capture of CO₂ from Flue Gas via Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes. Science Total Environment 407 (8): 3017 - 3023 .

6.       Olah, G., Goeppert, A., & Prakash, G. (2009). Chemical Recycling of Carbon Dioxide To Methanol And Dimethyl Ether: From Greenhouse Gas To Renewable, Environmentally Carbon Neutral Fuels And Synthetic Hydrocarbons. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 74 (2): 487-98.

7.       Huber-Humer, M., Gebert, J., & Hilger, H. (2008). Biotic Systems to Mitigate Landfill Methane Emissions. Waste Management Resources, 26 (1): 33-46.

8.       Alimahmoodi, M., & Mulligan, C. (2008). Anaerobic Bioconversion of Carbon Dioxide to Biogas in an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor. Journal of Air and Waste Management Association. 58(1): 95-103.

9.       Su, B., Cui, X., & Zua, J. (2012). Optimal Cultivation and Characteristics of Aerobic Granules with Typical Domestic Sewage in an Alternating Anaerobic/Aerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor. Bioresource Technology Volume 110: 125–129.

10.    Prasertsan, P., Choorit, W. & Suwanno, S. (1993). Isolation, Identification And Growth Conditions of Photosynthetic Found in Seafood Processing Wastewater. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. 9, 590-592.

11.    U.S.EPA (1999). Wastewater, Technology Fact Sheet: Sequencing Batch Reactors, U.S Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, D.C., EPA 932-F-99-037.

12.    Bhise., A.,D. (2005). Biomimetic Approach for Synthesizing Artificial Light- Harvesting System Using Self- Sssembled. Institut of Nanotechnology. 5-7

13.    Linlin, H., Jianlong, W., Xianghua, W. & Yi, Q. (2003). The Formation and Characteristics of Aerobic Granules in Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) by Seeding Anaerobic Granules. Process Biochemistry 40, 5–11.

14.    Kaewsuk, J., Thorasampan, Thanuttamavong, M. & Tae, G. (2010). Kinetic Development And Evaluation of Membrane Sequencing Batch Reactor (MSBR) With Mixed Cultures Photosynthetic Bacteria For Dairy Wastewater Treatment. Journal of Environmental Management 91, 1161-1168.

15.    Dapena, A., Arrojo, B., Campos, J.L., Mosquera, A. & Mendez, R. (2004). Improvement of the Settling Properties of Anammox Sludge in a SBR. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology 79, 1417-1420.

16.    Mangrum, R.L. (1998). The effect of anoxic selectors on the control of activated sludge bulking and foaming. Master Thesis. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

17.    Liao, B.Q., Allen, D.G., Droppo, I.G., Leppard, G.G. & Liss, S.N. (2001). Surface Properties of Sludge and Their Role in Bioflocculation and Setteleability. Water Research Volume 35(2), 339 – 350.

18.    Abdullah, N., Ujang, Z., & Yahya, A. (2011). Aerobic Granular Sludge Formation for High Strength Agro-Based Wastewater Treatment. Bioresource Technology 102, 6778 – 6781.

19.    Gao, D.W., Lin, L., Liang H., & Wu, W.M. (2011). Aerobic Granular Sludge: Characterization, Mechanism of Granulation and Application to Wastewater Treatment. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology 31 (2), 137–152.