Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Swine Wastewater Treatment for Small Farms by a New Anaerobic-Aerobic Biofiltration Technology

  • Published:
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Effluents form the swine livestock industry contain a high concentration of pollutants and require complex treatment systems. The most recurrent form to treat Swine wastewater is by a conventional anaerobic–aerobic treatment. For example, an up-flow anaerobic blanket sludge reactor followed by an activated sludge reactor. However, in many countries, a high percentage of producers are small or medium-sized farms that can afford neither complex treatment systems nor specialized operations. The present study assessed the performance of a novel and different combinations of treatment processes, based on changing the anaerobic systems that require a specialized operation for one very simple to operate for farm owners. The assessed system is composed by a septic tank in combination with an up-flow anaerobic filter packed with volcanic rocks and an aerobic biofilter packed with waste wood chips. The effect of the hydraulic residence time and the volumetric organic loading in the septic tank and up-flow anaerobic filter and the effect of surface hydraulic loading in the aerobic biofilter were also evaluated. The system efficiently removed chemical oxygen demand (86–93%), total suspended solids (91–97%), volatile suspended solids (86–97%), and ammoniacal nitrogen (86–87%), showing a constant removal efficiency under a VOL of between 5 and 14.6 kg COD m−3 d−1in the up-flow anaerobic filter. The advantages of this system are that the packing materials can be available in rural zones and are sustainable; the whole system is cost-effective and easy to handle; thus, farmers can operate and maintain it with their own means.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • APHA, AWWA, WPCF. (2005). Standard methods for examination of water and wastewater. Washington DC: American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association and Water Environment Federation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bitton, G. (2005). Wastewater microbiology. Department of Environmental Engineering Science. University of Florida, Gainesville. Wiley-Liss, Florida.

  • Bock, E., Schmidt, I., Stüven, R., & Zart, D. (1995). Nitrogen loss caused by denitrifying Nitrosomonas cells using ammonia or hydrogen as electron donors and nitrite as electron acceptor. Archives of Microbiology, 163, 16–20.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buelna, G., Dubé, R., & Turgeon, N. (2008). Pig manure treatment by organic bed biofiltration. Desalination, 231, 297–304.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Capassi, C. M., Costa, J. C., Cantil, M. E. S., Navarro, R. S., Romera, Y. F., Subtil, E. L., & Chagas, R. K. (2013). Sizing of a UASB reactor for the treatment of swine wastewater. Revista de Saúde, Meio Ambiente e Sustentabilidade, 8(2), 19–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chernicharo de Lemos, C. A. (2007). Anaerobic reactors. England: IWA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ding, W., Cheng, S., Yu, L., & Huang, H. (2017). Effective swine wastewater treatment by combining microbial cells with flocculation. Chemosphere, 182, 567–573.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duda, R. M., da Silva-Vantini, J. M., Scattolin de Mello-Varani, L., Lemos, A., Franco-Ferro, M. V., Tiraboschi de- Oliveira, M. I., & Alves, R. (2015). A balanced microbiota efficiently produces methane in a novel high-rate horizontal anaerobic reactor for the treatment of swine wastewater. Bioresource Technology, 197, 152–160.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garzón-Zúñiga, M. A., & Buelna, G. (2014). Swine wastewater characterization and its treatment by different processes in Mexico (Caracterización de aguas residuales porcinas y su tratamiento por diferentes procesos en México). Revista Internacional de Contaminacion Ambiental, 30(1), 65–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garzón-Zúñiga, M. A., Lessard, P., Aubry, G., & Buelna, G. (2005). Nitrogen elimination mechanisms in an organic media aerated biofilter treating pig manure. Environmental Technology, 26, 361–371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hernández, A., Ramírez, E., & Garzón-Zúñiga, M. A. (2011). Performance of a non-aereated biofilter coupled to an aereated biofilter for pig wastewater treatment (Desempeño de un biofiltro sin aire acoplado con uno aireado Para tratar aguas residuales porcícolas). Ingeniería Sanitaria y Ambiental AIDIS Argentina, 112, 44–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • INEGI (2013) La porcicultura en Sonora: Censo Agropecuario 2007. In INEGI (ed.), Ganado, cría de (Porcino)- Sonora. 1st edn. INEGI, México.

  • Jetten, M., Horn, S., & Van Loosdrecht, M. (1997). Towards a more sustainable municipal wastewater treatment system. Water Science and Technology, 35(1), 171–180.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kesik, M., Blagodatsky, S., Papen, H., & Butterbach-Bahl, K. (2006). Effect of pH, temperature and substrate on N2O, NO and CO2 production by Alcaligenes faecalis p. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 101, 655–667.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ladu, J., & Lü, X. (2014). Effects of hydraulic retention time, temperature, and effluent recycling on efficiency of anaerobic filter in treating rural domestic wastewater. Water Science and Engineering, 7(2), 168–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, S., Yang, F., Xue, Y., Gong, Z., Chen, H., Wang, T., & Su, Z. (2008). Evaluation of oxygen adaptation and identification of functional bacteria composition for Anammox consortium in non-woven biological rotating contactor. Bioresource Technology, 99, 8273–8279.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Masi, F., Rizzo, A., Martinuzzi, N., Wallace, S., Van Oirschot, D., Salazzari, P., Meers, E., & Bersciani, R. (2017). Upflow anaerobic sludge blanket and aerated constructed wetlands for swine wastewater treatment: a pilot study. Water Science and Technology, 76(1), 68–78.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mendez-Novelo, R., Castillo-Borges, E., Vazquez-Borges, E., Briceño-Perez, O., Coronado-Peraza, V., Pat-Canul, R., & Garrido-Vivas, P. (2009). Estimación del potencial contaminante de las granjas porcinas y avícolas del estado de Yucatán. Ingeniería, 13(2), 13–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Metcalf, & Eddy. (2003). Wastewater engineering, treatment and reuse. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nacheva, M. P., Pantoja, M. R., & Serrano, L. E. A. (2011). Treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor. Water Science and Technology, 63(5), 878–884.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noyola, A., Paredes, M. G., Morgan-Sagastume, J. M., & Güereca, L. P. (2016). Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from municipal wastewater treatment in Mexico based on technology selection. Clean: Soil, Air, Water, 44(9), 1091–1098.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rajagopal, R., Rousseau, P., Bernet, N., & Béline, F. (2011). Combined anaerobic and activated sludge anoxic/oxic treatment for piggery wastewater. Bioresource Technology, 102, 2185–2192.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rim, J. M., & Han, D. J. (2010). Process development for nitrogen removal of swine waste. Water Science and Technology, 42(3–4), 239–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, L.A. (1988). Aerobic denitrification and heterotrophic nitrification in Thiosphaera pantotropha and other bacteria. Ph. D. Thesis University of Technology. Delft, Netherlands.

  • Strous, M., Kuenen, G., & Jetten, M. (1999). Key physiology of anaerobic ammonium oxidation. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 65, 3248–3250.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Suto, R., Ishimoto, C., Chikyu, M., Aihara, Y., Matsumoto, T., Uenishi, H., Yasuda, T., Fukumoto, Y., & Waki, M. (2017). Chemosphere, 167, 300–3007.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tang, Y., Fujimura, Y., Shigematsu, T., Shigeru, M., & Kenji, K. (2007). Anaerobic treatment performance and microbial population of thermophilic Upflow anaerobic filter reactor treating awamori distillery wastewater. Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 104(4), 281–287.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Dongen, L., Jetten, M., & van Loosdrecht, M. (2001). Sharon – Anammox process for treatment of ammonium rich wastewater. Water Science and Technology, 44(1), 153–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanotti, M. B., Szogi, A. A., & Vives, C. A. (2008). Greenhouse gas emission reduction and environmental quality improvement from implementation of aerobic waste treatment systems in swine farms. Waste Management, 28, 759–766.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiangyang, Q., Shubiao, W., Zhongqiang, W., Zhuang, Z., & Renjie, D. (2015). Seasonal and daily emissions of methane and carbon dioxide from a pig wastewater storage system and the use of artificial vermiculite crusts. Biosystems Engineering, 131, 15–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, S., Liu, F., Luo, P., Xiao, R., Chen, J., Chen, L., & Wu, J. (2019). Does rice straw application reduce N2O emissions from surface flow constructed wetlands for swine wastewater treatment. Chemosphere, 226, 273–281.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, B., Li, J., Buelna, G., Dubé, R., & Le Bihan, Y. (2016). A combined upflow anaerobic sludge bed and trickling biofilter process for the treatment of swine wastewater. Environmental Technology, 37(10), 1265–1275.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This work was supported by the Mexican Council of Science and Technology (Conacyt: Award Number CB-2008-01-000103922), The Mexican Institute of Water Technology (IMTA), and the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mexican Institute of Water Technology (IMTA), Paseo Cuauhnáhuac 8532, Progreso, 62550, Jiutepec, Mor., Mexico

    V. E. Escalante-Estrada

  2. Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) CIIDIR-Durango, Av. Sigma 119, Fracc. 20 de noviembre II, 34220, Durango, Dgo., Mexico

    M. A. Garzón-Zúñiga

  3. Instituto Tecnológico de Durango (ITD), Felipe Pescador 1830, Nueva Vizcaya, 34080, Durango, Dgo., Mexico

    S. Valle-Cervantes & J. B. Páez-Lerma

Authors
  1. V. E. Escalante-Estrada
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. A. Garzón-Zúñiga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. Valle-Cervantes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. B. Páez-Lerma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. A. Garzón-Zúñiga.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Escalante-Estrada, V.E., Garzón-Zúñiga, M.A., Valle-Cervantes, S. et al. Swine Wastewater Treatment for Small Farms by a New Anaerobic-Aerobic Biofiltration Technology. Water Air Soil Pollut 230, 145 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-019-4200-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-019-4200-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation