Efektivitas Biokoagulan Lidah Buaya dan Tepung Jagung dalam Menurunkan Pencemar pada Air Limbah Industri Batik

Abstract

Air limbah industri batik mengandung pencemar organik tinggi seperti total suspended solid (TSS), total dissolved solid (TDS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), dan zat warna yang jika tidak dikelola dengan batik dapat merusak lingkungan. Usaha Mikro, Kecil, dan Menengah Kampung Batik Cibuluh Kota Bogor belum memiliki sistem pengolahan limbah. Koagulan kimia mampu mengendapkan pencemar limbah batik secara cepat, namun meninggalkan residu berbahaya bagi lingkungan dan kesehatan, sehingga perlu pengolahan dengan biokoagulan yang ramah lingkungan. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi efektivitas biokoagulan dari campuran lidah buaya dan tepung jagung dalam bentuk pelet untuk menurunkan pencemar limbah batik. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan menentukan formulasi optimum melalui uji jar test dan diaplikasikan dalam bentuk pelet. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa formulasi optimum terdapat pada perbandingan 0,5 g lidah buaya dan 2,25 g tepung jagung per liter air limbah. Aplikasi pelet biokoagulan menurunkan TSS sebesar 91%, COD dan BOD masing-masing sebesar 78%, serta warna sebesar 67%. Penurunan TDS sebesar 45% menunjukkan efektivitas sedang. Pengujian umur simpan menunjukkan kadar air meningkat dari 39% menjadi 45% setelah dua bulan penyimpanan tanpa vakum, disertai perubahan fisik pelet biokoagulan. Pelet biokoagulan efektif digunakan sebagai alternatif ramah lingkungan untuk pengolahan air limbah batik skala UMKM.

Industrial batik wastewater contains high levels of organic pollutants such as total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and dyes, which can damage the environment if not managed properly. Micro, small, and medium-sized businesses in the batik village of Cibuluh, Bogor City, do not yet have a wastewater treatment system. Chemical coagulants can quickly precipitate batik wastewater pollutants, but they leave behind residues that are harmful to the environment and human health, necessitating the use of environmentally friendly biocoagulants. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of biocoagulants made from a mixture of aloe vera and corn flour in pellet form to reduce batik wastewater pollutants. This study was conducted by determining the optimal formulation through jar tests and applying it in pellet form. The results showed that the optimal formulation was achieved at a ratio of 0.5 g of aloe vera and 2.25 g of corn flour per litre of wastewater. The application of biocoagulant pellets reduced TSS by 91%, COD and BOD by 78% each, and colour by 67%. The 45% reduction in TDS indicates moderate effectiveness. Storage life testing showed that the moisture content increased from 39% to 45% after two months of storage without vacuum, accompanied by physical changes in the biocoagulant pellets. The biocoagulant pellets are effective as an environmentally friendly alternative for batik wastewater treatment at the small and medium enterprises scale.