Lagooning: a solution for tannery effluent

摘要

The simplest method of purifying a wastewater is to discharge it into a pond and to let nature do its work. Sunlight, heat, oxygen from air, bacteria, algae, and above all time are needed. Generally known as the lagoon process, the technique was adopted in the USA, Canada and Europe many years ago but is most commonly used in areas where the climate is warm to hot. There are variations within the process and it can be easily applied to tannery effluents, although there are technical limitations and constraints. There is a general adverse reaction to the process because it can be a major source of odour and, if poorly adapted to effluent characteristics, can be a source of pollution.