Iron oxide nanoparticles and agricultural wastes used in enhancing the bioremediation and clarification procedures in textile effluent treatment

Abstract

Textile dyeing industry is considered as one of the largest generators of waste water in India, particularly Tiruppur. Dyes released by the textile industries cause a major threat to environmental safety. Apart from physical and chemical method, dye decolourisation through biological means can have a wide range. The present study focused on the screening of microbial isolates from the effluent with respect to the synthetic dye decolourisation. Three bacterial namely Bacillussp., Pseudomonassp., Acinetobactersp. andtwo laccase producing fungal species, identified as Aspergillus nigerand Aspergillus fumigatus,were isolated that were efficient in decolourising the synthetic dyes. These isolated colonies were used as free cells, microbial consortium and immobilised microbial consortium having the iron oxide nanoparticles, for effluent treatment. Treatment by microbial consortium and immobilized consortium showed better efficiency when compared to individual microbes, but the sludge settlement was again a threat. Effluent treatment by the immobilized microbial consortium with peanut husk and iron oxide nanoparticles showed promising decolourisation and efficient sludge removal during the treatment. By using magnetically induced biological waste the removal of dyes and separation of sludge contents can be achieved with low cost. The process could very well be used in localized companies since it is cost effective and thus aid in the eradication of the scar caused through pollution thus far.