Journal of Earth & Environmental Waste Management
ISSN: 3065-8799 | DOI: 10.64030/3065-8799
Abdullah Al Mahmud and Niger Sultana
This study evaluates the performance of a hybrid Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) designed for a pulp and paper industry in Narayanganj, Bangladesh, over a 12-month period. ETP combines a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) with an Activated Sludge Process (ASP) to treat high-strength industrial wastewater. Using physicochemical parameters, the Water Quality Index (WQI), and multivariate statistical analyses, the study assesses the plant›s efficiency in removing Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), and Total Suspended Solids (TSS). The treatment system achieved high pollutant removal rates (COD: 91.86%, BOD: 95.70%, TSS: 96.85%), ensuring compliance with Bangladesh›s Environmental Conservation Rule (ECR) 2023 standards. Seasonal variation analysis revealed slightly reduced efficiency during the wet season due to hydraulic loading, while trend analysis confirmed the system›s overall stability. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified BOD and COD as key determinants of treatment efficiency, and Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) suggested moderate influence of influent quality on effluent parameters. The findings underscore the potential of hybrid systems in managing industrial wastewater, particularly in developing countries, and provide insights for optimizing operational strategies.