Treatment of Coir Retting Liquor by Natural Biopolymer

Environmental Science

Abstract Coir is the essential product obtained from retting of coconut husk. Coir making is the traditional method practiced only in the Kanyakumari district. Coir dusts left from the extraction of coir fiber are used in agricultural purposes for their fertility and water holding capacity. During fiber extraction, retting units released the effluent called retting liquor. Retting liquor is dark brown, creating foul smell, H2S and anoxic condition and is directly discharged into the Manakudy estuary and causes organic enrichment. Continuous and intensive exploitation of backwaters by retting liquor led to the transformation of productive water bodies into ‘hot spots’ of pollution. Adsorption is the appropriate method to remove organic pollutants from retting liquor. Chitosan is an bio-adsorbents used to treat the retting effluents. After treatment, colour is changed, increases the oxygen level from anoxic to 1.49mg/lit. Nutrients, BOD and COD were significantly reduced from above permissible limit to permissible limit.

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