Dual-mechanism alginate-based bioremediation membranes for high-efficiency treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater

This study investigates the performance of bio-based remediation membrane beads—Alginate-Mushroom Bioremediation Beads (AMBB) and Alginate-Algal Bioremediation Beads (AABB)—in a continuous packed-bed bioreactor for the treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater (SWW). Using a One Factor At a Time (OFAT) experimental design, the effects of varying flow rates (1.9–17.9 mL/min) and packing heights (1–5 cm) on turbidity and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) removal were assessed. Beads were synthesized from sodium alginate with Pterocarpus mildbraedii (AMBB) and Chroococcidiopsis thermalis (AABB) biomasses and enhanced via porogen extraction for optimized porosity. AMBB exhibited superior porosity (75%) and stability, achieving 91.4% turbidity and 85.1% TDS removal, compared to AABB’s 87.5% and 79.9%, respectively. Four kinetic models—Weber-Morris, Bangham, Boyd, and Avrami—were applied, revealing that AMBB demonstrated faster pollutant uptake kinetics due to intra-particle and pore diffusion supported by enzymatic degradation. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed the endothermic and spontaneous nature of the process, with AMBB showing more favorable Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy values. Statistical validations including ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD, and paired t-tests confirmed the significance of performance differences (p < 0.005). AMBB’s design yielded faster kinetics, higher removal efficiencies, and improved energy dynamics, making it a more effective and scalable solution. This work advances the field of continuous wastewater treatment by introducing a dual-function algal-alginate and fungal-alginate matrix capable of high-performance remediation of high-organic-load effluents, offering an eco-friendly and low-cost alternative to conventional methods.