Waste-stabilization ponds

Waste stabilization ponds are shallow basins into which wastes are fed for biological decomposition. The chemical reactions involved are the same as those that occur in the other biological processes. Aeration is provided by the wind, and anaerobic digestion may also occur near the bottom of deeper ponds. The ponds are very commonly used for sewage treatment and dilute industrial wastes. Waste stabilization ponds are normally used as the final treatment step for effluents because they are not effieient enough to be used on their own. 

Stabilization ponds have been successfully used in the treatment of refinery and petrochemical wastewaters. They are used either as the major treatment step or as a pohshing process after other treatment processes. In the United States, because land is generally quite expensive, the use of waste stabilization ponds is limited [17]. 

Attached-growth waste stabilization ponds have been used to remove 65-70% TKN (total Kjeldahl nitrogen), and 70-83% NH3-N from concentrated latex and rubber sheet plant wastewaters [8]. A combined algae and water hyacinth system has been used to remove 96.41% COD, 98.93% TKN, 99.28% NH3-N, 100% NO2-N, and 100% NO3-N [9]. 

Rakkoed, A. Danteravanich, S. Puetpaiboon, U. Nitrogen removal in attached growth waste stabilization ponds of wastewater from a rubber factory. Water Sci. Technol. 1999, 40(i), 45-52. 

Polprasert C, Charnpratheep K. 1989. Heavy metal removal in attached-growth waste stabilization ponds. Water Research 23(5) 625-632. 

Different biological processes used for the treatment of wastes are activated sludge, aerated lagoons, anaerobic digestion, composting enzyme treatment, trickling filter, and waste stabilization ponds. 

Waste-stabilization ponds are normally used as a final treatment step because they are not efficient enough to be used on their own. The industries using this process include steel, textile, oil refineries, paper and pulp, and canneries. 

BIOACCUMULATION BCF (algal biomass in a model waste stabilization pond) 5225 BCF (using regression equations) 12 Koc 204... 

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