Integrated Approach on Energy Management, Treatment and Reuse of Industrial Wastewater for Sustainable Agricultural Development – A Green Food Security Concept

Abstract

Water is a critical component in the functioning of the earth and of all living forms of life. Raising human population and industrialization have increased tremendous pressures on global freshwater resources and resulting in water scarcity and misuse of fresh water pose serious threats to sustainable economic development, food security and protection of the environment in combination with the climate change. At the same time, it releases a large volume of wastewater into the environment and causes ecosystem damages. In the concept of environmental and economic sustainability, a proper wastewater management and water reuse system can help to a greater extent in the development of national economy. In this context, as a model trial, a textile industry wastewater containing total dissolved solids of 4000 mg/L was introduced in the reactor system, after the equilibrium time of 3hrs; the concentration of TDS in outlet water was 420mg/L. The color of the textile industrial wastewater was reduced to 97.5% with optimum biocarbon dose of 2.5g/100mL. In addition, a pilot scale farming practice was carried out in 12 x 12 sq.ft field for the growth of Fodder grass, Sataria clauca and Sorghum. The productivity results show faster growth of the species and 4.5kg of biomass/sq.ft.