Environment and Ecology Research Vol. 14(2), pp. 185 - 195
DOI: 10.13189/eer.2026.140209
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Characterization and Application of Biochar Immobilized Microbes for Palm Oil Mill Effluent Treatment

Wetri Febrina ^1,*, Amir Awaluddin ², Saryono ², Zuchra Helwani ^3
1 Department of Industrial Engineering, Institut Teknologi dan Bisnis Riau Pesisir, Indonesia
² Department of Chemistry, Universitas Riau, Indonesia
³ Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Riau, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) is a high-strength wastewater generated from palm oil processing industries, containing significant levels of organic matter that pose environmental threats if left untreated. Conventional methods, such as open lagoon systems, while widely used, are often inefficient and environmentally detrimental due to their large land requirements and greenhouse gas emissions. This study proposes an integrated treatment approach that utilizes thermophilic microbes immobilized in coconut shell-derived biochar, combining the advantages of biological degradation and physical adsorption. Thermophilic fungal strains from Aspergillus spp. were isolated and immobilized on biochar via direct adsorption and entrapment in sodium alginate beads. The immobilized systems were applied to raw POME and monitored over a short-term batch experiment. The characterization of POME before and after treatment involved measuring changes in COD, BOD, TSS, and pH. The results demonstrated significant pollutant removal, with COD reduced from 6750 mg/L to 640 mg/L and BOD from 624 mg/L to 173.2 mg/L. The pH value shifted from acidic (4.64) toward neutral (6.72-6.75), indicating effective microbial activity and environmental stabilisation. However, while substantial reductions were achieved, the final values of BOD and COD still exceeded the discharge limits set by Indonesian Regulation (Regulation of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry No. 16/2019), highlighting the need for further optimization. This biochar-immobilized microbes method offers a promising, sustainable pre-treatment alternative for the palm oil industry, especially in resource-limited regions, and contributes to circular bioeconomy principles by repurposing agricultural waste into functional bioremediation materials.

KEYWORDS
Biochar, Thermophilic Fungi, POME, Wastewater Treatment

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Wetri Febrina , Amir Awaluddin , Saryono , Zuchra Helwani , "Characterization and Application of Biochar Immobilized Microbes for Palm Oil Mill Effluent Treatment," Environment and Ecology Research, Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 185 - 195, 2026. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2026.140209.

(b). APA Format:
Wetri Febrina , Amir Awaluddin , Saryono , Zuchra Helwani (2026). Characterization and Application of Biochar Immobilized Microbes for Palm Oil Mill Effluent Treatment. Environment and Ecology Research, 14(2), 185 - 195. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2026.140209.