Depuration Performance of Aerated Tanks Simulating Lagoons to Treat Olive Oil Mill Wastewater under Different Airflow Rates, and Concentrations of Polyphenols and Nitrogen

The uncontrolled disposal of olive oil mill wastewater (OMW) is hazardous for the health water and soil, since this shows low pH high contents organic matter polyphenols (PP). Lagooning one most common treatment systems agro-industrial (such as OMW), due to its cost easy management. Aeration allows reducing depuration time, which a constraint system. Despite potential feasibility, literature about OMW lagooning not abundant. Moreover, effects aeration rates, concentration nitrogen shortage on performance lagoons treating have been properly explored. This study analyzes removal rates COD PP, variations in treated aerated tanks at laboratory scale simulating systems. Compared non-aerated tanks, increased from 61% 90% (for COD) 52% 64% PP). Permanent was more advisable compared intermittent flow rates. Increasing concentrations PP noticeably reduced were halved 4-fold concentration. In contrast, rate constant every experimented. COD:N value suggested by aerobic processes (100:5), availability both (by 20–25%) 25%), latter only when higher 400:5. less influenced ratio removal. investigation provides indications suitable operation parameters (airflow inhibiting concentration, optimal COD:N) towards environmentally sound treatments highly polluting wastewater.