Characterization of Textile Effluents from Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) Area in Dhaka, Bangladesh

The present study has been undertaken in a laboratory scale to characterize and investigate pollution potential of textile effluents from DEPZ area in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Collected effluent samples from five different industries were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters using field kits and Standard Methods, and for metals using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS). The average physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, color, pH, DO, EC, BOD, COD, TS, total alkalinity and total hardness were found 52.4 ºC, 2646 PCU, 9.788, 1.492 mg/L, 7473.2 μS/cm, 157 mg/L, 508.8 mg/L, 9140.8 mg/L, 761.2 mg/L and 189.6 mg/L, respectively. The average concentrations of metal found in the textile effluents were in the order of Na (4611.762 mg/L) > Ca (9.166 mg/L) > Mg (3.578 mg/L) > Zn (0.113 mg/L) > Ni (0.0074 mg/L) > Cu (0.0032 mg/L). All the measured physico-chemical parameter values are negatively deviated but metal concentrations (except Na) are positively deviated from standard limits of wastewater discharge set by Department of Environment and US Environmental Protection Agency. In view of those characteristics, the textile industry effluents should be considered to be treated by setting eco-friendly effluent treatment plant (ETP) before directly discharging into the water bodies.