Biochar-treated rice mill effluent: A sustainable strategy for enhanced reusability

Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Engineering & Management, University of Engineering and Management, University Area, Plot No. III-B/5, New Town, Action Area-III. Kolkata- 700160, India

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Abstract

Rice mill wastewater contains a high concentration of organic and other pollutants put threat to agriculture if released without treatment. This research investigatesthe utilization of rice husk biochar as a sustainable material for treating and enhancing the quality for potential reuse of rice mill effluent. This work assesses efficacy of treatment on crucial factors, including decrease in lignin and phenolic compounds, decrease in physicochemical parameters, and a change on microbial composition. The application of biochar facilitated the adsorption-based pollutant removal, resulting in an overall enhancement of water quality. The treated water showed optimum pH with major reductions in turbidity (90.38%), TSS (74.02%), conductivity (66.21%), TDS (64.70%), and COD (26.18%), demonstrating that biochar-assisted treatment is an effective, eco-friendly method for rice mill wastewater reuse in irrigation and other non- consumptive applications, supporting sustainability.