Tannery Effluent Treatment by Microfiltration through Ceramic Membrane for Water Reuse: Assessment of Environmental Impacts

The performance evaluation of an indigenously developed ceramic membrane from a clay-alumina mixture was evaluated toward microfiltration treatment of tannery effluent from a secondary clarifier. The study was aimed at observing the reuse efficiency of the membrane treated effluent using Pistia sp. as plant model and Poecilia sp. as fish model. About 70-86% chemical oxygen demand removal and 85% total organic carbon removal was achieved in the ceramic membrane based microfiltration process. The comet assay of Pistia sp. leaves showed formation of DNA tail in the untreated effluent suggesting DNA damage whereas no such observations were noted in treated water. Oxidative stress biomarkers like guaiacol peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, etc., in both Pistia sp. and Poecilia sp. increased considerably in untreated effluent, whereas the treated water values were close to that of control. The overall process demonstrated that microfiltration by ceramic membranes might prove as effective means of wastewater reuse for aquaculture, agriculture, as well as in industrial sectors.