Chemistry Wastewater Treatment of El-Oued City (South-East of Algeria) by Utilization of Typha Latifolia

Introduction

The purification of wastewater by use of plants is a technique for the treatment that has been experiencing since soon a thirty year a wide success of by the world. This technique of treatment is especially known to be ecological and economic. The épuratoires performance of this kind of system are very satisfactory, the treated wastewater by the plants are large of the same quality as those that come out of a good classical system equipped with unit of denitrification and phosphate removal¹. It has been used in different countries belonging to different regions and under different climates: in Australia², Burkina ^3-4, Cameroon⁵, Italy⁶, China⁷. In Jordan⁸, Morocco^9-10-11, Niger¹². In Côte d’Ivoire¹³, Mexico [14-15], in Europe¹⁶.  It is used for the purification of different types of wastewater Domestic ^4-17-18, wastewater from the olive industry¹⁹. waters of rain²⁰, wastewater of tannery²¹,  wastewater of slaughterhouses²². Effluent of hog barns²³, wastewater in agriculture²⁴, wastewater containing heavy metals ²⁵, wastewater of dairy farms²⁶. In addition, effluents from Medical Laboratories²⁷, The technique has been tested with success for the organic pollution²⁸ for the elimination of phosphates²⁹, of the nitrogen and metals ^29-30, and the elimination of pathogenic germs. It has also been used for the stabilization of sewage sludge, for the purification of air and it has even been proposed for space applications³¹. The first pilot unit using the scrubber power plants in Algeria was carried out in the region of Témacine (wilaya of Ouargla) ³². This pilot experience has identified certain constraints in the more important is the unsuitability of certain plants to the arid climate, on a total of 21 species that have been planted 18 species have perished, where the importance of the choice of the purifying plants which must be done in a way thorough.

In our work it is to test the performance purifying of plant which is resistant to the climatic conditions of an arid climate, namely the Typha latifolia in order to know to what extent this last could it be used in the treatment of wastewater.

Materials and Methods 

Presentation pf the Study Area

The city of El Oued situated to the South East of Algeria, in the northern reaches of the Erg Oriental (33° to 34° north and 6° to 8° is). It is characterized by an arid climate. The average annual temperature is of the order 22 ,66 °C, the warmest month is July with 34.43 ° C, the coldest month is January with 10.76 °C. The warm period lasts from May to October, with an average of 29.98° C. This period knows a significant evaporation which can achieve the 33.44 mm in the month of July. The peak of insolation corresponds to the month of June, with an hourly volume of 344 hours. The annual average of the insolation is 273,40 hours/month. The cold period, spreads from November to April, with an average of 14,99° C. The rainfed period of the year is very short (2 to 3 months), the annual precipitation averages are of the order of 5.47 mm. The moisture average annual is of the order of 47,39%. The values of the Moisture oscillate between 67.7% during the month of December, 30.9% during the month of July ³³. The region is also characterized in spring and summer by winds dry and hot causing the sirocco or “Chihili” appear during the summer period and sand storms.

Choice of the Plant

In the literature the purifying different have been used: the Pistia stratiotes²⁵, water hyacinth¹⁰, Imperata cylindrica³⁴, Phragmites australis, ^{35-36-37-38-39-40}, Typha latifolia^{41-36-39-40-11}, Scipus validus,  Juncus effusus , Typhadomin gensis, Amaranthus , Chorcourus, Nerium oleander ,  Tamarix Africa,  papyrus cypurus³⁹, Arundo Donax,  Tilapia and  Panicum maximum¹³.  Taylor et al ²⁸ has tested 19 different plants for the elimination of the organic load. Carex aquatilis Wahlenb, Carex bebbii Olney, Carex microptera Mack., Carex nebrascensis, Carex praegracilis, Carex utriculata, Schoenoplectus acutus, Calamagrostis canadensis, Deschampsia cespitosa (L.), Hordeum jubatum L., Leymus cinereus, Panicum virgatum L., Phalaris arundinacea L, Phragmites australis (Cav.), Juncus arcticus, Juncus torreyi, Typha latifolia L. , Iris issouriensis , Prunella vulgaris L. has Témacine 21 species have been planted at the beginning of the experience: Ficus carica, Vetiver zizanioides, Laurus nobilis, Jasminum grandiflora, Lantana camara, Touggourt pink, Damascus Rose, Hibiscus rosa sinensis, Nerium oleander, Mentha spicata, Cyperus spp., lonicera caprifolium, Pelargonium Rosa, Punica granatum, Morus nigra, Atriplex halumis, Typha latifolia, Washingtonia spp., Cymbopogon citratus, Juncus spp., Canna edulis, 18 species on the 21 planted at the beginning of the experience have not resisted to the conditions of the local climate.

The present study focused on a plant Typha latifolia also called reed to hammer, rauche, or cattail. This plant is adapted to local climatic conditions and which is resistant to very difficult conditions. It is a plant of the family of Typhaceae, it is the most common of the genus Typha. . Its flowering period runs from July to September and its vegetative rest has place in winter. Its growth is rapid, it can measure between 1.5 and 3 m high. This plant develops a root system important which stabilizes the substrates and provides nests for the development and the supply of microorganismes.

Presentation of the Experimental Protocol

The experimental driver consists of two drums of plastics of a capacity of 130 liters, filled from the bottom to the top on a thickness of 45 cm of gravel and 10 cm of sand (Figure 1). A too-full is placed 5 cm below the sand to avoid any overflow of water. The keg is planted with young stems to reason to 36 stems/m^2. The drums are powered by with semi trailers of water of 30 the once a week. The waters come from the wastewater having undergone a treatment Primary treatment at the level of the sewage plant in Kouinine (north of the city of El-Oued).

The flow is done in percolation through the substrate. The residence time of the water is of 5 days. The treated waters are recovered by a tap placed in the bottom of the WAS.

Figure 1: Experimental device Click here to View Figure

 

The Materials and Methods

Water samples are collected after primary treatment at the level of the water treatment station located at Kouinine (north exit of the city). The analyzes were carried out at the Laboratory of recovery and promotion of Saharan resources of the University of Ouargla and the Laboratory of the sewage treatment plant at Kouinine. Our measures have worn on nine parameters: pH, electrical conductivity, SS, COD, BOD5, dissolved oxygen, nitrite, nitrate and orthophosphate.

For the determination of the pH, we used a pH meter Hanna (pH 213). The conductivity has been determined with the help of a multi-parameter (HQ Hach40d).  For the SS and according to the quantity of suspended solids, two methods have been used: method of filtration on fiberglass according to the Standard (NF EN 872:1996) and the centrifugation according to the standard (NF T 90-105-2). The dissolved oxygen is determined by an oximeter (WTW pH/Oxi 340 i), the BOD₅ was determined by a BOD meter (WTW-OxiTop), the DCO, nitrites, nitrates and orthophosphate were determined by colorimetry to the assistance of a colorimeter (Hach DR/890).

Results and Discussions

Characteristics of the Effluent to Treat 

The waters to treat are of urban wastewater from the city of El-Oued, they are collected at the entrance of the sewage plant in Kouinine. The characteristics of this effluent are shown in Table 1.

All parameters measured for the raw wastewater fall in the range of the Values generally observed for the Urban Waste Water, with the exception of the value of nitrates which come without doubt of the oxidation of ammoniums to nitrite and then to nitrate.

Evolution of the pH

The evolution of the pH values of wastewater to the entry and exit of the system planted and not planted during the period from December 2013 to November 2014, are gathered in the figure 2.

Table 1: Physico-chemical characteristics of the effluent to treat

Parameters	The Levels
PH	7.87
EC (mS/cm)	6.05
SS (mg/L)	330,19
DCO (mg/L)	326,07
DBO5 (mg/L)	166.58
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)	0.72
NO2– (mg/L)	0.27
NO3– (mg/L)	17.01
PO43- (mg/L)	33.09

 

Figure 2: Temporal Evolution of the pH of wastewater to the entry and exit of the system planted and not planted. Click here to View Figure

 

Throughout the year of study for the bed planted where not planted, there is a slight acidification of purified water. The acidification for the bed planted is more important. This slight acidification of the environment can be interpreted by an oxidation of the DCO and NH₄⁺, the carbon dioxide (CO₂) product of, the oxidation of the DCO acidifies the middle, nitrification (oxidation of NH₄⁺) causes a acidification of the filtrates ; plants can also release of root exudates (acids tannic and gallic), which cause acidification of the environment.

The Evolution of the EC

The evolution of the values of the conductivity of the wastewater to the entry and exit of the system planted and not planted, during the period from December 2013 to November 2014, are gathered in the figure 3.

Figure 3: Time evolution of the conductivity of the waste water to the entry and exit of the system planted and not planted. Click here to View Figure

 

The conductivity increases to the output of the witness and the bed planted, this increase could be linked to the mineralization of organic matter. Our results are similar to those found by Finlayson and Chick [22], for the same plant and that interpret this phenomenon by evapotranspiration from the vegetation which tends to concentrate more of the effluent.

Evolution of SS

The evolution of the values of my of wastewater to the entry and exit of the system planted and not planted during the study period, are gathered in the figure 4.

Figure 4: Time evolution of SS of wastewater to the entry and exit of the system planted and not planted.  Click here to View Figure

 

One obtains yields of abatements of contents in suspension very satisfactory that in all cases exceed the 85%. For the witness, the yields oscillate between the 89,29 % (month of September) and 93,30% (month of August). The minimum yield for the bed planted is 88,11 % (month of December) and this performance achieved 96,76% during the month of July. There is a small improvement in the retention of material in suspension when going from the bed not planted in bed planted because the most important part of contents in suspension is retained by filtration through the gravel, the roots of plants contribute to the retention of another part of contents in suspension.

Evolution of the DCO

The evolution of the values of the DCO of wastewater to the entry and exit of the system planted and not planted during the study period, are gathered in the figure 5.

Figure 5: Time evolution of the DCO of wastewater to the entry and exit of the system planted and not planted. Click here to View Figure

 

For the witness, the yields in terms of DCO oscillate between the 73,13 (month of May) and 78,63 (Month November), the minimum yield for the bed planted is 84.54% (month of November) and this performance reached 89.92 per cent during the month of March. A net improvement of the abatement of the DCO is observed when going from the witness to bed planted. The biological degradation by action of bacteria added to physical phenomena, filtration are without doubt to the origin of the drawdown of the organic matter. The plants are creating of physico-chemical conditions favorable to the oxidation of organic matter by the microbial flora. These bring oxygen in the massif filtering via the roots and rhizomes, something which allows the aerobic bacteria to proliferate is to ensure an oxidation of organic matter [1].

The sedimentation of My and their filtration by the gravel and the roots of the plants have certainly contributed to the elimination of the carbonaceous pollutants.

Evolution of the BOD₅

The evolution of the values of the BOD₅ of wastewater to the entry and exit of the system planted and not planted during the study period, are gathered in the figure 6.

Figure 6: Time evolution of the BOD5 of wastewater to the entry and exit of the system planted and not planted. Click here to View Figure

 

For the witness, the yields in terms of BOD₅ oscillate between 58,28% (month of June) and 79.83% (Month September). The minimum yield for the bed planted by the plant Typha is 79,84%% (July) and this performance reached 87.98% during the month of September. The same phenomena of the abatement of the DCO are involved in the retention of the BOD₅.

Evolution of the Dissolved Oxygen

The evolution of the values of the dissolved oxygen of wastewater to the entry and exit of the system planted and not planted during the study period, are gathered in the figure 7.

Figure 7: Temporal Evolution of the dissolved oxygen of wastewater to the entry and exit of the system planted and not planted. Click here to View Figure

 

A significant improvement in the quantity of dissolved oxygen is observed in the bed planted and in the bed not planted, for the maximum values going from 1.26 mg/L to 2.04 mg/L for the witness, 2.85 for the bed planted. The degradation of the organic matter fact that the waters become less loaded and therefore the oxygen concentration becomes more important.

Evolution of Nitrite

The evolution of the values of nitrite of wastewater to the entry and exit of the systems planted and not planted, during the study period are gathered in the figure 8.

Figure 8: Time evolution of nitrites for wastewater to the entry and exit of the system planted and not planted. Click here to View Figure

 

For the witness, the yields of nitrites oscillate between 41,96% (month of February) and 80.64% (Month January). The minimum yield for the bed planted is 69.23% (month of February) and this performance achieved 88,84% during the month of January. The elimination of nitrite is significant enough in the beds planted and in the bed not planted, with a yield of 80.64% for the witness to a performance of 88,84% for the bed planted. Nitrites are oxidized to nitrates (nitration) by bacteria Nitrobacter and a party is assimilated by plants:

Evolution of Nitrate

The evolution of the values of nitrate of wastewater to the entry and exit of the systems planted and not planted during the study period, are gathered in the figure 9.

Figure 9: Time evolution of nitrate for the wastewater to the entry and exit of the system planted and not planted. Click here to View Figure

 

For the witness, the yields of nitrates oscillate between the 6.13% (month of June) and 79,47% (month of January). The minimum yield for the bed planted is 47,48 % (month of February) and this performance reached 91.20% during the month of August. The elimination of nitrates is significant enough in the bed planted and in the bed not planted, a performance of 79,47% for the witness, one goes to 91,20% for the Typha. Nitrates are absorbed by the plants in the presence of light for photosynthesis

Evolution of Orthophosphate

The evolution of the values of orthophosphate of wastewater to the entry and exit of the systems planted and not planted during the study period, are gathered in the figure 10.

Figure 10: Time evolution of orthophosphate for wastewater to the entry and exit of the system planted and not planted.   Click here to View Figure

 

For the witness, the yields of orthophosphate oscillate between the 37.89 (month of March) and 73.22 (month of December).The minimum yield for the bed planted is 60,32 % (month of October) and this performance reached 93.12% during the month of April. The assimilation can be done in different ways either by bacterial assimilation and/or, an assimilation by the plant: the plant assimilates for these fabrics in growth, the phosphorus through its rhizome and these roots or by adsorption by the massif filter. Our results are superior to those found by Abissy [9] who obtains a yield of 10%.

Conclusion 

This study, which covered the period from December 2013 to November 2014 with the follow-up of nine parameters.  pH, electrical conductivity,  SS, COD, BOD5, dissolved oxygen, nitrite, nitrate and orthophosphate has allowed to show that the plant Typha which supports the conditions of very difficult climate, may very well be used for the purification of urban wastewater in an arid climate.  Yields very satisfactory were obtained: for the particulate pollution and organic, the rates of drawdown have reached the 96,76% for the substances in suspension (SS), the 89,92% for the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and 87,98% for the biochemical oxygen demand in 5 days (BOD5) with a net increase of the dissolved oxygen concentration. The elimination of nitrogen pollution and of phosphorus is translated by rates of drawdowns of 88,84% for nitrites, 91,20% for nitrates and 93,12% for the orthophosphate. The yields of purification for the different pollutants are very significant especially for particulate pollution and the organic pollution.

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