Treatment Of Microfibers From Wastewater Using Electrocoagulation And Biological Methods

Ms Swetti Jha; Dr Srikantha H

doi:10.29284/hane4248

Authors

Ms Swetti Jha Research Scholar, Jain (Deemed to Be University), Kanakpura, Bengaluru-562112
Dr Srikantha H Assistant Professor, Jain (Deemed to Be University), Kanakpura, Bengaluru-562112

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29284/hane4248

Keywords:

Microfibers, Electrocoagulation (EC), Anaerobic digestion, Wastewater treatment, Textile pollution, Sulfate-reducing bacteria, Organic load reduction.

Abstract

Conventional wastewater treatment systems are often inadequate in effectively removing microfibers microfibers from textile industries and domestic sources, necessitating the development of integrated and sustainable treatment solutions. This research focuses on the treatment of microfiber-contaminated wastewater using a two-stage approach involving electrocoagulation (EC) followed by anaerobic digestion in a lab-scale reactor. Electrocoagulation was employed as a primary treatment to achieve efficient removal of suspended microfibers through the in-situ generation of coagulant species using aluminium and steel electrodes in monopolar and bipolar configurations. Key operational parameters, including current density, electrode material, inter-electrode distance, and pH, were optimized to maximize microfiber removal and reduce chemical oxygen demand (COD). The effluent from the EC unit was subsequently treated in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor to degrade the residual organic pollutants and assess the fate of microfibers under anaerobic conditions. The role of sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogenic consortia in the partial transformation and surface degradation of biodegradable microfibers was also evaluated. The combined EC-anaerobic process demonstrated significant reduction in microfiber concentration (up to 90%), organic load (COD removal >85%) and the synergistic potential of physicochemical and biological treatment methods. The study presents a viable pathway for decentralised wastewater treatment in textile clusters, contributing to improved environmental protection and resource recovery.

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