Coagulation of Metallic Pollutants from Wastewater Using a Variety of Coagulants Based on Metal Binding Interaction Studies

Abstract

Abstract In this study, different organic (moringa and neem leaf powder) and inorganic (alum) coagulants were used for the wastewater treatment. Results revealed that all the coagulants at various doses significantly affected the pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and turbidity of wastewater. The maximum decrease in all the attributes was observed when 10 g of coagulants were used. Similarly, maximum adsorption potential was observed in case of moringa leaf powder. Maximum decrease in all physiochemical attributes such as pH (13%), EC (65%), turbidity (75%), total dissolved solids (TDS; 51%), total suspended solids (TSS; 48%), total hardness (TH; 29%), chloride contents (66%) and phosphate contents (44%) was observed. Regarding the heavy metals, maximum decrease for Cadmium (Cd; 96%), Lead (Pb; 88%), Arsenic (As; 23%), Iron (Fe; 90%), Manganese (Mn; 96%) and Zinc (Zn; 48%) was observed in same treatment. The decreasing order in terms of their adsorption potential for coagulants was moringa leaf powder > Alum > neem leaf powder. However, the maximum effect of coagulants was observed in case of textile wastewater as compared to the hospital wastewater. Based on the analyses, it is concluded that the moringa leaf powder has maximum adsorption potential for the remediation of wastewater.