Characterization of Paper Mill Effluent and Its Impacts on the Environment

Abstract

The study aimed to characterize paper mill effluents and determine the quality of surface water in the vicinity of the paper mills using a water quality index to understand the pollution level due to the discharge of untreated effluents. Physicochemical parameters and CCME (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment) Water Quality Index (WQI) were used to estimate the degree of pollution in the selected paper mills area in Bogura District of Bangladesh. Moreover, a public perception   survey was conducted in the study area to illustrate the present scenario regarding paper mill effluent discharge. The analytical results revealed that the concentrations of TSS, EC, COD, BOD₅, phenols, K, and NO₃ – N were higher   than the permissible limit, and the DO level was below the ECR 1997 standard. However, there was no concentrations of heavy metals exceeded the permissible level. The FTIR analysis showed the presence of several toxic pollutants, including lignin, phenol, and halo compound. The CCME WQI showed that sites S-1 and S-2 were ranked as marginal, while site S-3 was ranked as fair. The study observed that the discharge of untreated paper mill effluent has the potential to cause harm to aquatic life and the environment.