Eco-friendly biodegradation processes for affordable wastewater treatment in agricultural and horse stable environments

The pursuit of sustainable livestock farming and environmentally responsible agricultural practices has spurred the development of innovative and affordable wastewater treatment technologies. This study investigates new biological treatment approaches that integrate the complementary processes of filtration, biosorption, and biodegradation to enhance eco-friendly wastewater management. A novel treatment concept was developed, representing a modern modification of the biosorption method that combines the oxidation of organic pollutants with ammonium reduction by an immobilized biocenosis, achieved through controlled aeration zones within a single bioreactor. An experimental facility was constructed and implemented at Feldman EcoPark (Kharkiv region, Ukraine) to serve the wastewater treatment needs of a contact zoo and animal rehabilitation center. The installation consists of a drainage treatment column with filter materials and a bioreactor - rotating biological contactor (RBC) containing microbial communities immobilized on inert carriers. Operational testing demonstrated high treatment efficiency, achieving up to 97.1% reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 85.6% removal of nitrogen compounds. Among the tested methods, biosorption proved particularly advantageous due to its cost-effectiveness, operational simplicity, and adaptability. The study also evaluated recycled polymers, including post-consumer PET, polycarbonate, and LDPE, as sustainable functional materials supporting filtration and microbial growth in wastewater treatment systems.