Characterization of E1 Kraft Mill Effluent by Toxicity Identification Evaluation Methodology

In order to recover and reuse water in the Kraft mill process, evaluation of separate streams is required to identify toxic compounds or microcontaminants. The stage E1 Kraft effluent, corresponding to the first extraction step of the bleaching Kraft mill process, provides the main toxic compounds found in the final process effluent. This paper uses the toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) procedure for the physicochemical and ecotoxicological characterization of the E1 Kraft effluent. To distinguish the most important toxic compounds, a physicochemical characterization and Phase I of the TIE procedure were performed. The acute toxic effect of the E1 Kraft effluent and treated fraction was performed on Daphnia magna. Results show that untreated E1 Kraft effluent exerts an acute toxic effect on D. magna (24 h LC₅₀?=?27.6%), where the E1 Kraft effluent is characterized by pH 10.5, chemical organic demand (COD) 1,348.8 mg/l, and biological organic demand (BOD₅) 397.5 mg/l, while total phenolic compounds and color are 853.7 mg/l and 0.204 1?×?1 cm, respectively. Additionally, Cu⁺² (0.51 mg/l) and Fe⁺² (0.64 mg/l) were detected. With respect to different treatments, our results indicate that activated carbon, anionic and cationic exchange treatments were able to reduce more that 45% of E1 Kraft effluent’s acute toxicity and that the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid treatment was able to reduce the E1 Kraft effluent’s acute toxicity to around 75% and the Cu⁺² concentration to 0.019 mg/l. Moreover, specific analysis of heavy metals and organic compounds by GC-MS show that the main compound responsible for the toxicity was Cu⁺², whose tolerance level on D. magna of the 0.12 mg/l.     

Allophanic Soil Adsorption System as a Bleached Kraft Mill Aerobic Effluent Post-Treatment

Bleached Kraft mill effluent was treated in an activated sludgereactor followed by an allophanic soil adsorption system (ASAS). Under aerobic conditions, removal efficiencies of biological oxygen demand (BOD₅) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) varied between 57.7–96.5% and 30.3–57.0%, respectively, depending on the hydraulic retention time (HRT). On the other hand, tannin-lignin and phenolic compounds removal efficiencies attained values between 13.2–51.2 and 3.6–33.5%,respectively. An allophanic soil adsorption system was designed for color and phenolic compounds removal. Three different types of soils were used: Natural allophanic soil as the control compared, with calcinated and acidified allophanic soil. The initial removal efficiencies for phenolic compounds varied between 72 an 87% for activated soils, while color initial removal efficiencies were between 95 and 99%. Moreover, COD and tannin-lignin initial removal efficiencies reached maximum values of 74 and 87%, respectively, for calcinated soil. Design parameters show that there is an enhancement factor in adsorption capacities for both activated soils. In fact, phenolic compounds breakpoint adsorption capacity increased 5.3 times for calcinated soil and 17.6 times for acidified soil, while saturation capacity increased between 2.2 and 3.2 times. In addition, color breakpoint adsorption capacity increased 2.8 times for calcinated soil and 10.4 times for acidified soil, while saturation capacity increased between 3.2 and 5.5 times.     

Evaluation of the Sub-lethal Toxicity of Bleached Kraft Pulp Mill Effluent to Carassius auratus and Dicentrarchus labrax

The effluents from bleached Kraft pulp mill (BKME) and paper industry are toxic to different aquatic organisms being an important source of contamination to aquatic environments due to the presence of several chemicals produced during the production of Kraft pulp. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the exposure effects of a secondary-treated BKME in two different species of fish: Carassius auratus and Dicentrarchus labrax. Both species were exposed to different concentrations of secondary-treated effluent (1%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 100%) in semi-static tests under controlled laboratory conditions. At the end of the experimental period (21 days), samples of livers were collected for CYP1A determination and histopathological evaluation. The results show significant changes (p?<?0.05) of CYP1A induction in carp exposed to 50% and in sea bass exposed to 25% of the effluent. Histopathological alterations were also observed according to the different concentrations of the tested effluent suggesting that tested BKME cause damage to exposed organisms.     

几种植物去除污染水体中养分效果研究

对城市尾水和人工模拟富营养化水体进行了静态培养试验.通过比较不同植物对城市尾水中氮、磷去除效果,以及它们在不同磷浓度条件下对不同形态氮素去除效果研究,目的在于筛选出适合治理富养分污染水体的植物品种.研究结果表明,空心菜(Ipomiea aquatica)、酸模(Rumex acetosa)、莎草(Cyperus glomeratus)3种植物都能很好地吸收尾水中的营养物质,且生长状况良好.经3种植物处理的城市尾水,其氮、磷浓度随水培时间的增加而降低.莎草、酸模对污水中TN的去除率达90%以上,其中莎草最高,达93.4%;空心菜对全磷的去除率最高达76.9%.NH_4~+-N在处理前期变化显著,且莎草的净化效果最好达94.4%;污水中NO_3~--N含量随着水培时间的增加而逐渐下降,但在试验后期NO_3~--N又有所增加.酸模去除NO_3~--N效果最好,达65.4%.另外3种植物对NH4+-N和NO_3~--N都具有一定的吸收作用,并且优先吸收NH_4~+-N.且从对于NH_4~+-N和NO_3~--N净化效果看,莎草>酸模>空心菜.     

Effects of Paper Mill Effluent Irrigation on Agronomical Characteristics of Vigna radiata (L.) in Two Different Seasons

Seven rates of paper mill effluent (viz., 0%, 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) were used for irrigation of V. radiata (mung bean) along with a control (bore well water). The effluent had significant (P < 0.001) effects on electrical conductivity (EC), pH, chlorides (Cl^?), organic carbon (OC), bicarbonates (HCO₃ ^?), carbonates (CO₃ ^2?), sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), iron (Fe²⁺), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), nitrate (NO₃ ^2?), phosphate (PO₄ ^3?), sulfate (SO₄ ^2?), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) and insignificant (P > 0.05) effects on moisture content, water-holding capacity (WHC), and bulk density (BD) in both the cultivated seasons: rainy (Kharif) and summer (Zaid) season. The agronomical performance of V. radiata was increased from 5% to 50% in the rainy season and 5% to 25% in the summer season as compared to the control. The enrichment factor (Ef) of various heavy metals were ordered for soil as Pb > Cd, Cr > Zn > Cu in rainy season and Pb > Cd > Zn > Cr > Cu in summer season and for V. radiata plants as Cu > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cd in rainy season and Cu > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cd in summer season after irrigation with paper mill effluent.     

Biosorption of Colour-Imparting Substances in Biologically Treated Pulp Mill Effluent Using Aspergillus niger Fungal Biomass

Biosorption has potential to be an economical colour removal technology. As such, the colour removal potential of inactivated Aspergillus niger biomass was investigated for the treatment of activated sludge-treated pulp mill effluent from a northern bleached softwood kraft mill. Biomass pretreatment methods, effects of initial pH of the effluent and preparative biomass washing methods were examined. The most effective pretreatment method was found to be simple autoclaving of the biomass and this approach was applied in subsequent kinetic and isotherm batch studies. It was also found that the pH of the wastewater prior to addition of the biomass affected the biosorption rate and the solubility of chromophores in pulp mill effluent. The results also indicated that biomass washing methods reduced the quantity of organic matter leached from the fungal biomass during application. The kinetic study revealed that colour removal by biosorption occurred most readily in the first 8 h and could be described adequately by both the Lagergren and Ho et al. models. The maximum colour removal was over 900 TCU, with a biomass dose of about 20 g/L. The isotherm study data were fitted with the BET isotherm model. The results indicated that adsorption occurred in a multi-layer fashion and that physical adsorption was the main mechanism contributing to the biosorption. Therefore, dead A. niger biomass was concluded to be a promising alternative for colour removal from pulp mill effluent.     

牡蛎壳作生物滞留填料对城市地表径流污染物去除效果研究

选择磷吸附性能最强的牡蛎壳作为填料,在实验室构建3个生物滞留模拟装置(A柱:养殖牡蛎壳;B柱:海滩牡蛎壳;C柱:养殖牡蛎壳存在淹没区),采用道路径流模拟配水作为进水,研究牡蛎壳作为填料对青岛市城市径流常见污染物氮磷及COD的处理效果,并对各污染物去除机理进行探讨。结果表明:3种牡蛎壳填料的生物滞留设施对总磷的去除效果最好,在进水磷浓度为0.57～1.83 mg/L条件下,无淹没区装置平均去除率为96.12%,存在淹没区的装置平均去除率为91.02%。养殖牡蛎壳与海滩牡蛎壳对磷的去除效果并无明显差异,淹没区不利于磷的去除。在前期进水过程中(前5次进水)3个模拟装置氨氮(NH_4~+)的出水浓度高于进水浓度,延长落干期后,装置的NH_4~+去除率均上升,B柱NH_4~+平均去除率(58.83%)相对于A柱(48.77%)及C柱(53.06%)更高,有无淹没区对NH_4~+去除并无明显影响。由于填料中有机物的渗沥,首次进水出现严重COD淋出,在随后的进水过程中,COD去除效果迅速上升并稳定,3个模拟柱去除率分别为50.34%,23.47%和47.75%。由于反硝化作用受阻,对硝氮(NO_3~-)的去除效果不佳。整体看来,养殖牡蛎壳可以应用于青岛市生物滞留设施的填料,为加强滞留设施NO_3~-的去除效果,还需要采用强化脱氮措施。     

The behavior of particulate material in the treatment lagoons of a bleached kraft pulp mill

The effect of treatment lagoons on the suspended particulate matter contained in Bleached Kraft Mill Effluent (B.K.M.E.) has been studied. Good settling characteristics for coarse material (> 10 μm diam) were found, but fine particles (< 1 μm diam) remain in suspension throughout the treatment system. When the treated effluent is discharged into the brackish water of a narrow tidal cove, the increased ionic strength of the medium promotes the combination of fine particles. This flocculation effect produces a larger concentration of coarse material in the treated effluent than was contained in the raw mill discharge. A procedure for artificial flocculation, within the treatment system, is suggested as a method of improving both the treatment efficiency and the physical properties of the effluent released to the marine environment.     

Optimization of Petroleum Refinery Wastewater Treatment by Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands Under Tropical Conditions: Plant Species Selection and Polishing by a Horizontal Flow Constructed Wetland

Typha latifolia-planted vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands (VSSF CWs) can be used to treat petroleum refinery wastewater. This study evaluated if the removal efficiency of VSSF CWs can be improved by changing the plant species or coupling horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HSSF CWs) to the VSSF CW systems. The VSSF CWs had a removal efficiency of 76% for biological oxygen demand (BOD₅), 73% for chemical oxygen demand (COD), 70% for ammonium-N (NH₄⁺-N), 68% for nitrate-N (NO₃^?-N), 49% for phosphate (PO₄^3?-P), 68% for total suspended solids (TSS), and 89% for turbidity. The HSSF CWs planted with T. latifolia further reduced the contaminant load of the VSSF CW-treated effluent, giving an additional removal efficiency of 74, 65, 43, 65, 58, 50, and 75% for, respectively, BOD₅, COD, NH₄⁺-N, NO₃^?-N, PO₄^3?-P, TSS, and turbidity. The combined hybrid CW showed, therefore, an improved effluent quality with overall removal efficiencies of, respectively, 94% for BOD₅, 88% for COD, 84% for NH₄⁺-N, 89% for NO₃^?-N, 78% for PO₄^3?-P, 85% for TSS, and 97% for turbidity. T. latifolia strived well in the VSSF and HSSF CWs, which may have contributed to the high NH₄ ⁺-N, NO₃^?-N, and PO₄^3?-P removal efficiencies. T. latifolia-planted VSSF CWs showed a higher contaminant removal efficiency compared to the unplanted VSSF CW. T. latifolia is thus a suitable plant species for treatment of secondary refinery wastewater. Also a T. latifolia-planted hybrid CW is a viable alternative for the treatment of secondary refinery wastewater under the prevailing climatic conditions in Nigeria.     

Application of a Magnetic Resin (MIEX?) in Wastewater Reclamation for Managed Aquifer Recharge

The performance of the magnetic anion exchange resin, MIEX^?, in the pretreatment of reclaimed water for managed aquifer recharge (MAR) was investigated. MIEX^? can effectively remove aromatic organic substances with molecular weights above 10?kDa and between 1 and 5?kDa, which are always present recalcitrant during soil infiltration. The removal of organic substances is accompanied by the elimination of other undesirable components in MAR, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. The optimal process parameters are at resin doses of 5?C10?mL?L^?1 and contact time of 10?C15?min, as determined via jar tests. The efficiency of the MAR pilot system was consistent throughout the long running time, during which the MIEX^? treatment significantly contributed (30 to 60?%) to the removal of both organic and inorganic materials (i.e., dissolved organic carbon, ultraviolet absorbance at 254?nm, color, nitrate, ammonia, phosphorus, and sulfate). The quality of the MAR final effluent is lower than the groundwater standard for drinking sources (type III in GB/T 14848-93). Based on this study, MIEX^? treatment is a suitable and efficient pretreatment method for the removal of extra dissolved organic matters and nitrates in reclaimed water for MAR.     

Simultaneous Pollutant Removal and Electricity Generation in a Combined ABR-MFC-MEC System Treating Fecal Wastewater

Simultaneous power generation and fecal wastewater treatment were investigated using a combined ABR-MFC-MEC system (anaerobic baffled reactor-microbial fuel cell-microbial electrolysis cell). The installation of multi-stage baffles can benefit retaining the suspended solids in the system and help separate the hydrolysis-acidification and the methanogen processes. The efficiencies of the nitrification-denitrification process were improved because of the weak current generation by coupling the microbial electrochemical device (MFC-MEC) with the ABR unit. Maximum removal rates for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia nitrogen (NH₄ ⁺-N) were 1.35 ± 0.05 kg COD/m³/day and 85.0 ± 0.4 g NH₄ ⁺-N/m³/day, respectively, while 45% of methane (CH₄), 9% of carbon dioxide (CO₂), and 45% of nitrogen gas (N₂) contents in volume ratio were found in the collected gas phase. An average surplus output voltage of 452.5 ± 10.5 mV could be achieved from the combined system, when the initial COD concentration was 1500.0 ± 20.0 mg/L and the initial NH₄ ⁺-N concentration was 110.0 ± 5.0 mg/L, while the effluent COD could reach 50.0 mg/L with an HRT of 48 h. The combined process has the potential to treat fecal wastewater efficiently with nearly zero energy input and a fair bio-fuel production.     

Removal of Chromium, Copper, and Nickel from an Electroplating Effluent Using a Flocculent Brewer’s Yeast Strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The release of heavy metals in aquatic systems due to the discharge of industrial wastewaters is a matter of environmental concern. Heat-inactivated cells of a flocculent strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used in the bioremediation, in a batch mode, of a real electroplating effluent containing Cu, Ni, and Cr. In this approach, no previous reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) was required. Cr(VI) was selectively removed (98%) by yeast biomass at pH 2.3. At this pH, Cr(VI) is mainly in the form of HCrO ₄ ^? and yeast surface is surrounded by H⁺ ions, which enhance the Cr(VI) interaction with biomass binding sites by electrostatic forces. Subsequently, pH of the effluent was raised up to 6.0; this pH maximizes the efficiency of cations removal since at this pH the main binding groups of yeast cells are totally or partially deprotonated. The passage of effluent through a series of sequential batches, at pH 6.0, allowed, after the third batch, the removal of Cu(II), Ni (II), Cr total, and Cr(VI) in the effluent to values below the legal limit of discharge. The strategy proposed in the present work can be used in plants for the treatment of heavy metals rich industrial effluents containing simultaneously Cr(VI) and Cr(III).     

Pulp and Paper Mill Effluent Treated by Combining Coagulation-Flocculation-Sedimentation and Fenton Processes

Pulp and paper industries face serious environmental challenges, especially with regard to the conservation of water resources. Chemical thermal mechanical pulping (CTMP) is a process of pulping that combines chemical and mechanical pulping. This reduces the volume of water used in the process. But on the other hand, CTMP generates an effluent with high concentration of organic matter and is difficult to treat. This study evaluated the efficiency in the combination of physicochemical pretreatment by coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation (CFS) process and advanced oxidation process (AOP) by Fenton in sequence to treat CTMP effluent of a Brazilian industry. At first, the best treatment conditions for this type of effluent were determined. To evaluate the efficiency, pH, chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon, lignin contents, color, total phenolic contents, turbidity, and solids were measured before and after treatment. The acute toxicity on Daphnia magna was also determined. The treatment with CFS showed better results in the removal of solids and Fenton in the removal of recalcitrant compounds, such as lignin, demonstrating the need to use them in sequence. Combining CFS and Fenton to treat CTMP effluent allowed to achieve a removal efficiency of 95% for TOC, 61% for COD, and 76% for lignin contents.     

Chemical Oxygen Demand and Ammonia Nitrogen Removal in a Non-saturated Layer of a Strengthened Constructed Rapid Infiltration System

A strengthened constructed rapid infiltration (SCRI) system is a sewage treatment system derived from a constructed rapid infiltration (CRI) system. The SCRI tank structure primarily includes saturated and non-saturated layers. The degradation of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and the conversion of ammonia nitrogen (NH₄ ⁺-N) are primarily performed in a non-saturated layer. To study the COD and NH₄ ⁺-N removal process in a non-saturated layer, two organic glass columns with a radius of 2.5 cm and a height of 70 cm were loaded with layers of soil from the Shunyi district of Beijing. The primary goal of this research is to quantify the removal effect factors and the relationship of the COD and NH₄ ⁺-N in the non-saturated layer. The SCRI system functioned successfully under a wetting-drying ratio of 1:5 with hydraulic loading at 1.0 m³/ (m²·d) for over 2 months. Our results show that the removal rate of NH₄ ⁺-N is approximately 69.11%, and the removal efficiency of COD is approximately 90.46%. The removal of COD is only slightly affected by pH, while the removal of NH₄ ⁺-N is greatly influenced by pH.     

Use of soil color meter for aqueous iron and ammonium measurements

Abstract

In this paper, we proposed a new approach for on-site colorimetric analysis of ferrous ions (Fe²⁺) and ammonium-nitrogen (NH₄ ⁺-N) using a soil color meter as an alternative method to conventional spectrophotometry. The soil color meter we used can express solution color numerically on the basis of L*a*b* color space. After coloring of water by the 1, 10 phenanthroline method and the Indophenol blue method, the color of solution was measured by the soil color meter. A linear relationship between Fe²⁺ and a* or b* values, and systematic change of NH₄ ⁺-N with L* value, enable us to make a calibration curve. The Fe²⁺ and NH₄ ⁺-N concentrations in groundwater samples (Fe²⁺: 0.3–1.3 mg L^?1; NH₄ ⁺-N: 0.02–0.62 mg L^?1) determined by the proposed method agreed well with those determined by conventional spectrophotometry with the difference being ± 0.05 mg L^?1 and ± 0.02 mg L^?1, respectively. Since a similar apparatus is widely used in the soil science field, this technique would facilitate field surveys.     

A manual colorimetric procedure for measuring ammonium nitrogen in soil and plant Kjeldahl digests

Abstract

The measurement of NH4⁺‐N in soil, and plant digests is one of the greatest needs in laboratories conducting agricultural and environmental research. Many laboratories do not have access to automated equipment for colorimetric analysis of soil and plant digests. The objective of this research was to modify an automated colorimetric analysis procedure for determining NH₄+‐N in soil and plant digests for manual use, and compare the proposed technique with the standard distillation‐titration technique. The modified procedure is based on the color reaction between NH₄ ⁺‐ and a weakly alkaline mixture of Na salicylate and a chlorine source in the presence of Na nitroprusside. Wavelength scans indicated a very well defined peak for determinations at 650 nm. Time scans showed that color development in the manual procedure was rapid, 12 to 40 minutes depending on temperature, and that the color development remained stable for at least 120 minutes. Regression analysis of the results from 18 soil and 20 plant tissue sample determinations by distillation‐titration and the proposed method indicated NH₄ ⁺ ‐N recoveries of 99% or higher. The results obtained using the colorimetric procedure were very similar to the values obtained by distil ling and titrating the digests for both soil and plant samples as indicated by the large coefficients of determination (R² = 0.99).     

Rate controlling processes in the release of radium-226 from uranium mill tailings

Uranium mill tailings (a pyritic quartz conglomerate ore) obtained from a Canadian operation were leached according to a modification of the method recommended by I.A.E.A. for the leaching of radioactive ions from solidified wastes. A static leach test procedure was chosen to provide information to permit an assessment of hazard due to release of Ra-226 to the environment. Narrow range size fractions (53 to 75 μm) of both fresh material obtained directly from a tailings line and material weathered for approximately 10 to 15 yr in a tailings basin were leached for up to 70 days. Distilled water and an acidic synthetic effluent (pH 2.5) were chosen as leachants. Two sequential desorption processes were observed, one before and the other after a leaching period of approximately 10 to 15 days. In the later and more significant stage of desorption, the leaching behaviour could be described in terms of a diffusion mechanism. Significantly greater quantities of ²²⁶Ra were leached over relatively short leaching periods by the acidic effluent; thus the quality of the effluent and percolating water in a tailings disposal area would markedly affect the leachability of Ra from tailings. It was also found that the quantities of ²²⁶Ra leached were significantly influenced by the solid: liquid ratio at low leaching volumes.     

Composting Olive Mill Waste and Sheep Manure For Orchard Use

An industrial-scale composting plant has been designed for producing organic fertilizers from olive mill waste using the windrow pile system. Materials to be composted, two phase olive mill waste (TPOMW) and sheep litter (SL), were characterized and made into three piles consisting of different proportions of each. Throughout the composting process, temperature (T), moisture (M), organic matter (OM), total organic carbon (C_org), total nitrogen (NT), germination index (GI), pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were monitored. The potential agronomic value of the final composts was ascertained by analyzing the bulk density, OM and Corg concentration, pH, EC, macro and micronutrient content (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, B), the concentration of humic and fulvic acids and inorganic nitrogen (NH₄⁺,NO₂^?,NO₃^?). Each compost was applied to an area of one hectare within a six year-old olive plantation. Four months after application, the soils showed an increased OM concentration and cationic exchange capacity (CEC).     

Effects of fertilizer factory effluent on soil and crop productivity

Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of various concentrations (2.5, 5, 10, 25, and 50%) of fertilizer factory effluent on certain physico-chemical properties of soil, and germination, growth, photosynthetic pigments, and dry matter productions of corn (Zea mays L.) and rice (Oryza sativa L.). The effluent was highly alkaline and contained high amounts of N⁺, Ca²⁺, Na⁺, Cl^?, CO _in3 ^su? , HCO _in3 ^su? and suspended and dissolved solids. Its BOD value was also high. The effluent treatment to soil resulted in a significant increase in the water soluble salts, electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity, pH, N, Ca, Na, and Cl content of the soil for effluent concentrations of 10% and above. The effluent in the lower concentrations of 2.5 and 5 % enhanced the growth and development of corn and rice. Higher concentrations of effluent (10% and above), however, inhibited the percentage of seed germination and caused deleterious effects on the dry matter production, yield (quantitative and qualitative) and the photosynthetic pigments of both test crops.     

Farmers' perception of treated paper mill effluent irrigation

The utilization of treated paper mill effluents for irrigation offers many benefits such as conservation of water resources, conversion of barren land into irrigated area, addition of nutrients to the soil and plant and above all the reduction of pollution of inland water bodies. However, the utility of this effluent irrigation programme depends mainly on farmers' acceptability, adoption and management of the scheme. Knowledge about the farmers' perception is thus very much imperative for further advocacy of the effluent irrigation programme. The determinants of farmers' perception of treated paper mill effluent irrigation is a pre‐requisite for the formulation of better programmes and strategies for the support of an unobstructed adoption and for the long‐term sustainability of effluent irrigation schemes. The present study was conducted to assess the farmers' perception and the determinants that influence the adoption of treated paper mill effluent irrigation by interviewing a random sample of 120 farmers, using a well‐structured interview schedule in paper mill effluent irrigated area in Tamil Nadu in India. The study revealed that there exists positive significant correlation between the perception and the characteristics of the farmers viz. educational status, farm size, annual income, mass media exposure, innovativeness and risk orientation. The response analysis of the perception revealed that treated paper mill effluent as alternative assured supply of irrigation water, conversion of elevated dry lands to irrigated land, changing of cropping pattern to sugarcane, increase in socioeconomic status of the farmers, incentives and technical inputs by the paper mill authorities and above all farmers' participation in planning, implementation and management of the effluent irrigation schemes influenced the farmers to form positive perception. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.