Characterization of tannery wastewater and its treatment by aquatic macrophytes and algae

Tannery wastewater contains large amount of chemical compounds including toxic substances. So an attempt was made to characterize physiochemical parameters of tannery wastewater and investigate the efficacy, and applicability of the biological treatment utilizing aquatic plants macrophytes and algae. Total suspended solids TSS and total Dissolved solid in the original wastewater were found 1250 mg/l and 21300 mg/l respectively. The pH and temperature were 8.3 and 29°C. Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) were 2.72 mg/l, 4464 mg/l and 12840 mg/l respectively. Electrical conductivity (EC) was 42500 ?S/cm anions PO43- and Cl- were 17.1 mg/l and 13.8 mg/l respectively. Heavy metals were also analysed. Fe, Na, Zn, Cr, Pb and Ca were found 14.675…