Reduction of turbidity by adding bio coagulant-A sustainable approach

Abstract

Improper management of human developmental activities such as industrialization and haphazard urban development deteriorating the quality parameters of Surface Water sources beyond the permissible limits. Turbidity in water, a major physical characteristic parameter is highly increasing due to the presence of suspended, colloidal, dissolved solids and making the water resources anaesthetic in condition. The chemical coagulants like Alum, Ferric Sulphate are widely used in turbidity treatment processes. Present study aimed sustainable approach to reduce turbidity by adding Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf powder as bio coagulant along with Alum (Aluminum Potassium Sulphate). Laboratory investigation was done for the sample from Hussain sagar lake, Telangana, India and analysed the obtained turbidity results. Optimum dosage of neem leaf powder along with Alum has been determined by Jar Test Apparatus to increase the efficiency of treatment. The dose of bio coagulant used was 0.1 to 1gr per Litre. It has been observed that the bio coagulant is efficient in reducing turbidity upto 94.8% when it was added with reduced dosages of Alum. This paper explains sustainable method of reducing turbidity by using neem leaf powder as bio coagulant along with Alum.