Prospects and Potential Role of Biological Treatment of Textile Effluent to Restore Water Reservoir

Abstract

Standing at a second place after agriculture, the textile industries are a source of income to almost 45 million Indian population. Indian textile industries contribute to around 2% of India’s GDP, 15% share in export earning, and 7% of industrial output. However, the alluring benefits delivered by the textile industries are intertwined with severe aquatic pollution, which if remains unchecked would soon prove to be catastrophic for humankind and aquatic life. Textile industries are one of the large consumers of harmful dyes, water, and chemicals. The industrial revolution that has first claimed to be a boon is now standing at the edge of turning into a bane for the marine ecosystem. The unchecked release of textile dyes into the water bodies has resulted in hazardous aftermath primarily for the vital human commodity (water). Synthetic dyes are broadly classified into azo, anthraquinone, and triphenylmethane dyes. The release of colored dyes and its harmful intermediates into the water streams blocks the sunlight, hampering its light penetration and causing disturbance to the ecosystem. Since safe drinking water is one of the most crucial commodities in the developing countries, the water pollution arising from tons of untreated-textile dye discharges needs a spearheaded, efficient, feasible, and eco-friendly approach. In recent decades, several chemical and biological mediated remediation strategies have been reported by several research groups that focused on evading textile dye menace by degrading the harmful chemical dyes into less-harmful forms. This objective has been attained by controlling the physical parameters of effluent such as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) content, etc. This chapter discusses the current perspectives and future prospects of textile dyes remediation scenarios in India, and the associated challenges and reasons for its sustainable implementations for the revival of the existing parched marine environment.