Minimization of Environmental Impact of Kraft Pulp Mill Effluents: Current Practices and Future Perspectives towards Sustainability

Gladys Vidal, Yenifer González, Benjamín Piña, Mayra Jarpa and Gloria Gómez
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Gladys Vidal: Environmental Engineering & Biotechnology Group (GIBA-UDEC), Environmental Science Faculty & EULA–CHILE Center, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile
Yenifer González: Environmental Engineering & Biotechnology Group (GIBA-UDEC), Environmental Science Faculty & EULA–CHILE Center, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile
Benjamín Piña: IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Mayra Jarpa: Environmental Engineering & Biotechnology Group (GIBA-UDEC), Environmental Science Faculty & EULA–CHILE Center, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile
Gloria Gómez: Environmental Engineering & Biotechnology Group (GIBA-UDEC), Environmental Science Faculty & EULA–CHILE Center, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 16, 1-15

Abstract: Kraft mill effluents are characterized by their content of suspended solids, organic matter and color due to the presence of lignin, lignin derivatives and tannins. Additionally, Kraft mill effluents contain adsorbable organic halogens and wood extractive compounds (resin acids, fatty acids, phytosterol) and show high conductivity due to the chemical compounds used in the digestion process of pulp. Currently, Kraft mills are operating under the concept of a linear economy and, therefore, their effluents are generating serious toxicity effects, detected in daphnia, fish and biosensors. These effluents are treated by activated sludge and moving bed biofilm systems that are unable to remove recalcitrant organic matter, color and biological activity (toxicity) from effluents. Moreover, under climate change, these environmental effects are being exacerbated and some mills have had to stop their operation when the flows of aquatic ecosystems are lower. The aim of this review is to discuss the treatment of Kraft pulp mill effluents and their impact regarding the current practices and future perspectives towards sustainability under climate change. Kraft pulp mill sustainability involves the closure of water circuits in order to recirculate water and reduce the environmental impact, as well as the implementation of advanced technology for these purposes.

Keywords: kraft mill effluents; toxicity; environmental impact; technologies; cycle closure; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:16:p:9288-:d:616928

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