Comparative Study of Water Quality due to Retting of Crushed and Uncrushed Kenaf Stems

摘要

A comparative study on the quality of crushed and uncrushed kenaf retting water is presented in this paper. A number of parameters used in the assessment of water quality are examined in this study, namely, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity and suspended solids (SS). The results reveal that both crushed and uncrushed kenaf retting water samples do not fulfil the requirements stipulated in the effluent standards. In addition, the quality of crushed kenaf retting water is poorer compared to that for uncrushed kenaf retting water. Based on the results of this study, it is evident that the retting process adversely affects the physicochemical properties of water and therefore water treatment is necessary before the water is being discharged downstream into ponds, lakes and rivers.