Optimization of mixing ratio, shaking speed, contact time, and pH on reduction of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH3-N) in leachate treatment

ABSTRACT

When the inevitable generation of waste is considered as hazardous to health, damaging ecosystem to our environment, it is important to develop an innovative technologies to remediate pollutant sources for the safety and environmental protection. The development of adsorption technique for the reduction of extremely effective pollutants in this regard. Green mussel and zeolite mixing media were investigated for the reduction of the concentration of organic constituents (COD) and ammoniacal nitrogen from leachate. The leachate treatability was analyzed under various stages of treatment parameter, namely mixing ratio, shaking speed, contact time, and pH. Both adsorbent were sieve values in between 2.00–3.35 mm particle size. The optimum pH, shaking speed, contact time, and mixing ratio were determined. Leachate samples were collected from influent untreated detention pond at Simpang Renggam landfill site in Johor, Malaysia. The result of leachate characterization properties revealed that non-biodegradability leachate with higher concentrations of COD (1829 mg/L), ammoniacal nitrogen (406.68 mg/L) and biodegradability value (0.08) respectively. The optimal reduction condition of COD and ammoniacal nitrogen was obtained at 200 rpm shaken speed, 120 minute shaken time, optimum green mussel and zeolite mix ratio was 2.0:2.0, and pH 7. The isothermic study of adsorption shows that Langmuir is best suited for experimental results in terms of Freundlich model. The mixing media also provided promising results to treating leachate. This would be greatly applicable in conventionally minimizing zeolite use and thereby lowering the operating cost of leachate treatment.

Implications: The concentration of organic constituents (COD) and ammoniacal nitrogen in stabilized landfill leachate have significant strong influences of human health and environmental. The combination of mixing media green mussel and zeolite adsorbent COD and ammoniacal nitrogen reduction efficiency from leachate. This would be greatly applicable in future research era as well as conventionally minimizing high cost materials like zeolite use and thereby lowering the operating cost of leachate treatment.

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to express thanks to the Ministry of Higher Education, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia under Research Fund E15501, Research Management Centre (RMC) UTHM and Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science & Technology (QUEST) Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Zawawi Daud

Zawawi Daud works as an Associate Professor at Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environmental, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. Dr. Zawawi received his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (Environment) from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2009. Dr. Zawawi’s research focuses on alleviating problems associated with water pollution issues from industrial wastewater and landfill leachate. His latest interest is on natural adsorbent material in water and wastewater treatments.

Amir Detho

Amir Detho works as a Lab Engineer at Energy & Environment Engineering Department, Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science & Technology, Nawabshah, Pakistan. Engr. Detho received his Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) in the year 2010 and Master of Engineering (Energy & Environment Engineering) in the year 2018 from Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering, Science & Technology Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan. He is currently pursuing Ph.D in Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. His research areas include solid waste management and treatment. Engr. Detho does research in Environmental Engineering, Transportation Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

Mohd Arif Rosli

Mohd Arif Rosli is currently a lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. His current research interest includes landfill leachate/water and wastewater treatment technology, building services and performance; water, air, noise and indoor environmental quality. Mohd Arif holds a Ph.D degree in Civil Engineering from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. He is a member of The Clean Air Forum Society of Malaysia (MyCAS).

Halizah Awang

Halizah Awang received the Ph.D. in Educational Curriculum from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2010. Since January 2011, she has been with Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia as an Associate Professor. Her research focuses on Curriculum and Instruction in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Job and career development in TVET and teaching and learning in TVET.

Mohd Baharudin Bin Ridzuan

Mohd Baharudin Bin Ridzuan works as a senior lecturer at Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Tun Hussien Onn Malaysia. Mohd Baharudin is currently doing Ph.D in Environmental Engineering field at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. His research focuses on environmental issues including water pollution, wastewater treatment, erosion and sedimentation control and rainwater harvesting.

Husnul Azan Tajarudin

Husnul Azan Tajarudin is Associate Professor in Division of Bioprocess, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia. He obtained his Ph.D (Chemical and Biological Engineering) from Swansea University, United Kingdom, Master of Environmental Engineering from Universiti Sains Malaysia and Bachelor of Civil Engineering from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn. He also a registered environmental engineer under Board Engineer Malaysia, Member of Society Biological Engineering, United Kingdom and Member of Asia-Pacific Chemical, Biological & Environmental Engineering Society (APCBEES). He has published more than 100 publications such as articles and paper reviews, chapters in book, books and technical reports. His research interests are biological treatment and production of materials from waste by biological process.