DOI: https://doi.org/10.5513/NPFB3849
Article
Optimisation of a hybrid wastewater treatment via full factorial design and its preliminary physicochemical and short-term agronomic assessment for irrigation reuse
2026, 91 (3) p. 11-11
Nadjiba Boulahia, Dalila Hank, Fouad Sellam, Abdelmalek Chergui
Abstract
This study develops an economical hybrid treatment process for removing organic compounds from wastewater, along with a preliminary assessment of the treated effluent for potential agricultural reuse. The research first investigated the
decontamination of water from phenol, gallic acid, and humic substances through two methods: adsorption onto activated acorn bark and coagulation-flocculation using aluminium sulfate. To maximise treatment efficiency, a hybrid system was developed. Optimal operating conditions were determined using a factorial design methodology. Under optimised parameters conditions, the treatment efficiency
achieved a 96.36% rate of organic matter removal. In the context of water scarcity in Algeria, a localised irrigation trial was conducted on green beans to evaluate the physicochemical quality of the treated effluent and its short-term agricultural
performance. The preliminary effects of the hybrid process on soil properties and plant growth were evaluated in the short term. Water quality, soil properties, and plant growth were compared across three sources: physicochemically treated
wastewater (PCTW), biologically treated wastewater, and conventional water. PCTW was compliant with the relevant international guidelines for agricultural reuse. Furthermore, the irrigation trial demonstrated that PCTW significantly improved soil fertility, while promoting superior vegetative growth compared to conventional water. These findings highlight the potential of this hybrid process to produce treated wastewater with satisfactory physicochemical quality and nutrient content while supporting short-term plant growth under localised irrigation conditions.
Keywords
Wastewater treatment, coagulation-flocculation, adsorption, factorial design, sustainable agriculture, irrigation
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