The Effectiveness of EM4 Addition in the Biofilter Tanks to Reduce the BOD5and COD in the Palm Oil Industry Liquid Waste

Abstract

Abstract

Palm oil liquid waste is rich in BOD₅and COD and thus need to be processed before being flown to environment. A study aims to reduce the BOD₅and COD in that waste by using the biofilter that was added with EM₄ has been conducted in April-May 2019. There were 3 treatments applied, namely the addition of 12 ml, 15 ml and 18 ml EM₄ in the anaerob and aerob tanks, 3 replications. The waste was settled for 3 days in the anaerob and 3 days in the aerob tanks. The treated waste was then tested for BOD₅ and COD concentrations. The treated waste was also used for rearing Oreocromis niloticus seedlings. Result shown that after being treated using the EM₄ enriched biofilter the BOD₅ reduced into 138.52- 165.76 mg/L and COD was 282.1- 335.3 mg/L. The survival of Oreocromis niloticusseedlings reared in the treated waste was 87-100 %. The best treatment to reduce the BOD₅ was the addition of 12 ml EM₄ and the effectiveness was 78%, while that of the COD was 84%. It can be concluded that the addition of EM₄ to the biofilter tanks was able to reduce the BOD₅ and COD in the palm oil industrial liquid waste.

Keyword : Effective Microorganism-4, Oreocromis niloticus, Anaerob tanks, Aerob tanks