Adsorption Technique an Alternative Treatment for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs) and Pharmaceutical Active Compounds (PhACs)

Abstract

Water is essential to human consumption; however, its pollution is caused by populace activities from both organic and inorganic compounds sources that require serious attention, to provide clean water. Organic contaminants are known as persistent organic pollutants (POP). They are accumulated in the fat tissues of wildlife and human beings and are toxic to their organs. Degradations of POP are very difficult since they are persistent and also termed as semi-volatile, for example, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Apart from POPs, others toxic organic contaminants with subtle ecological effects are the emerging organic contaminants (EOCs), like pharmaceutical actives contaminants (PhACs). They penetrate the aquatic environment and alter the natural quality. To obtain future discharge requirements, new technologies with granular activated carbon were developed using Oxytenanthera abyssinica and Bambusa vulgaris in remediating PhACs and PAHs. The activated carbon with KCl had removal efficiency of 73.3, 78.1, and 86.2%, which indicated the highest efficiency for PhACs removal, while adsorbent activated with H3PO4 gave 63.9, 66.7, and 82.2% for paracetamol, salbutamol, and chlorpheniramine, respectively. Removal efficiency of 42.5–81.2% and 8.9–65.5% ranges of PAHs were obtained for CBV and COA, respectively. The alternative adsorption treatment techniques are detailed in the chapter.