Performance Evaluation of Local Eco-friendly Adsorbents for Food Industry Effluent Treatment: A Case Study from Gujarat, India

This study presents a comprehensive performance evaluation of traditional chemical and sustainable, eco-friendly treatment protocols for managing high-strength wastewater from the food processing sector in Anand, Gujarat, India. The primary objective was to establish a baseline physicochemical profile and identify cost-effective remediation strategies that minimize the financial burden on small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) while maintaining environmental compliance. Raw effluent was collected via grab sampling from a functional food processing unit. To ensure data integrity, immediate on-site fixation of initial Dissolved Oxygen (DO) was performed using 300ml BOD bottles, and samples were transported in airtight containers at 4 degree C. Laboratory analyses adhered to APHA, FSSAI, and Indian Standards (IS), evaluating 12 critical parameters across physical, chemical, and nutrient categories. The research evaluated three distinct treatment methodologies: Basic chemical treatment utilizing varying dosages of Lime and Alum (Aluminum Sulfate) to monitor reductions in TSS, COD, and BOD; Advanced chemical-polymer treatment incorporating Polyacrylamide (PAM) as a flocculant to enhance sedimentation of smaller particles into heavier masses; Sustainable adsorption utilizing locally sourced pyrolyzed coconut husk and wood chip waste. Pyrolysis enhances the surface area and microporosity of these materials, transforming them into effective bio-adsorbents. The dataset confirms significant pollutant reduction efficiencies of 40–90% across all treatments. Notably, eco-friendly adsorbents demonstrated high prowess in lowering nutrient levels, such as Phosphates. Advanced statistical tools, including correlation matrices and bubble graphs, were integrated to provide "at-a-glance" interpretations of treatment success and inter-pollutant relationships. By demonstrating that pyrolyzed agricultural waste can effectively compete with industrial chemicals, this study fosters a shift toward Sustainable Wastewater Management. It offers a critical resource for environmental engineers and policymakers, providing a clear pathway to reduce both the financial burden on industries and the chemical sludge footprint generated by traditional treatments. The empirical evidence confirms that environmentally safe methods are not only feasible but highly effective for treating complex industrial effluents.