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Advances in POME treatment methods: potentials of phycoremediation, with a focus on South East Asia

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Abstract

The discharge of palm oil mill effluent (POME) without effective treatment is highly toxic to the environment and receiving waters due to its high chemical oxygen demand , biochemical oxygen demand and increased levels of suspended solids. The ponding system is regarded as a conventional method for the treatment of POME but requires long retention time and extensive treatment areas. Other processes, such as physicochemical treatment, have also been applied as tertiary steps to ensure lower toxicity of the POME discharge. More recently, phycoremediation, a new biological treatment method using microalgae, has been reported as having great potential in being a highly efficient method of reducing the environmental impact of POME. This paper discusses the feasibility of the above treatment methods of POME, including the potential of phycoremediation, with a focus on their application in South East Asia.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from Universiti Sains Malaysia in the form of Research University Grant No. 1001/PTEKIND/811291. We are indebted to Dr. James Fielding of University of Southampton, UK for his constructive criticisms and English editing.

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Correspondence to W. O. Wan Maznah.

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Editorial responsibility: Jing Chen.

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Tan, K.A., Wan Maznah, W.O., Morad, N. et al. Advances in POME treatment methods: potentials of phycoremediation, with a focus on South East Asia. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 19, 8113–8130 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-021-03436-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-021-03436-6

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