%0 Journal Article
%T Intergraded Applied Methodology for the Treatment of Heavy Polluted Waste Waters from Olive Oil Industries
%A Antonis A. Zorpas
%A Vassilis J. Inglezakis
%J Applied and Environmental Soil Science
%D 2011
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2011/537814
%X The annual olive oil production in Cyprus is in the range of 2700¨C3100£¿t£¿y£¿1, resulting in the generation of significant amount of waste. The cocomposting of the olive oil solid residue (OOSR) and the treated wastewaters (with Fenton) from the olive oil production process with the application of reed beds has been studied as an integrated method for the treatment of wastewater containing high organic and toxic pollutants under warm climate conditions. The experimental results indicated that the olive mill wastewater (OMW) is detoxified at the end of the Fenton process. Specifically, COD is reduced up to 65% (minimum 54.32%) by the application of Fenton and another 10¨C28% by the application of red beds as a third stage. The final cocomposted material of OOSR with the treated olive mile wastewater (TOMW) presents optimum characteristics and is suitable for agricultural purpose. 1. Introduction Olive oil production is considered one of the oldest agricultural industries in the Mediterranean countries. Approximately of olive oil is produced annually worldwide, where the majority of it is produced in the Mediterranean basin [1¨C3]. The average amount of olive mill wastewater (OMW) produced during the milling process is 1.2¨C1.8£¿m3£¿t£¿1. OMW resulting from the production processes in the Mediterranean region surpasses 30 million t per year [2, 3]. The treatment of liquid wastes produced from olive oil production is still a major challenge facing this industry. The main problem is attributed to its dark colour, high organic content, and toxicity, which are due to the presence of phenolic compounds [3, 4]. Chemical oxidation demand (COD) values of OMW may reach 150£¿g£¿L£¿1, most of which are in a particulate form. Suspended solids up to 190£¿g£¿L£¿1 have been recorded [3, 5]. A common way of dealing with the OMW in many Mediterranean countries is to discharge it directly into sewer network, convey it to a central lagoon, or store it in a small pond beside the mill, where it is left to evaporate until the next season. These ponds often leak causing ground water pollution and unpleasant odours problems. Since the setting up of more stringent regulations concerning public waste disposal, there is a growing interest in the development of new technologies and procedures for the purification of this wastewater. Today, olive tree in Cyprus is grown in compact groves or, more often, mixed with other crops such as fruit trees, carobs, and cereals. It is also found scattered on uncultivated land, steep slopes, rocky ground, or in residential areas. Some 12000 families are
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aess/2011/537814/