Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECT OF UNTREATED DOMESTIC AND DYE-INDUSTRY EFFLUENT ON TREATMENT POTENTIAL OF A NATURAL WETLAND IN TAMIL NADU

J. Hemamalini, B.V. Mudgal and J.D. Sophia

Abstract

The eco-services provided by a natural wetland (Thangal in Tamil)are important to Pandravedu village communities, situated in Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu, in the treatment of effluents from dye industries and domestic wastewater. In the present scenario the wastewater drainage channel continuously discharges untreated wastewater into the Thangal which in turn feeds the Pandravedu tank. The present study examines the treatment potential of Thangal using a mathematical model SubWet 2.0. Physico-chemical parameters analysed from the wastewater samples collected at the inlet and outlet of the wetland like BOD, nitrate,ammonium and total phosphorus are used to calibrate and run the model. The removal efficiencies of the above mentioned parameters are estimated to be 16.2%, 18%, 31% and 50% respectively. The study concludes that the present treatment potential of the Thangal is appreciated as part of pre-treatment system of wastewater for Pandravedu village. The study also suggests that the treatment potential could be improved if the Thangal is maintained by a continuous monitoring setup which would study the primary treatment and the biological activity of wastewater that is taking place in the wetland prior to its entry into the Pandravedu tank.