Surface Water Treatment with Carica papaya-Based Coagulants: A Natural and Sustainable Solution

Coagulants are essential in purifying raw water for drinking water safety for consumers. Commonly, aluminium sulphate, a chemical coagulant, is used for water treatment. However, for long-term usage, chemical coagulants can be considered toxic and harmful to the environment due to the accumulation of this substance in the pipeline system, which can create severe health issues if consumed. The natural plant-based coagulant can be a substitute for a sustainable solution in the water treatment coagulation process. This research aimed to determine the efficiency of plant-based materials as coagulants in surface water treatment. Moringa oleifera and maize seeds were chosen as natural coagulants in this investigation since they are both locally available plant-based materials. Here, this research aims to study the ability of moringa oleifera seed and maize seed as plant-based coagulants in enhancing the effluent quality of the wastewater treatment plant of UiTM Dengkil Selangor. A jar test experiment was used to assess the capacity of moringa oleifera and maize as natural coagulants. The results comprise turbidity removal by 92% (mixed of moringa oleifera seed and maize seed), the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 95% reduction rate using moringa oleifera seed. The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) for 88% removal by moringa oleifera seed, ammonia-nitrogen removal of 12% (moringa oleifera seed) and total suspended solids (TSS) of 100% reduction rate using mixed moringa oleifera seed and maize seed for the effluent sample. Thus, it can be recognized that moringa oleifera and maize seeds can be an alternative solution to replace the chemical coagulants in the treatment systems.

Coagulation and flocculation are critical processes in water treatment facilities and typically precede the more intricate secondary and tertiary treatment stages. Currently, the most commonly used coagulants in water treatment are aluminum sulfate (alum) and ferric chloride. In developing countries, synthetic coagulants can be neither economical nor health-friendly. Consequently, natural coagulants have garnered significant research attention over the past decade. This study explored the use of cactus as a natural coagulant to decrease turbidity in surface water from the Sekak dam in Tlemcen, Algeria. Various jar tests were performed to optimize parameters such as coagulant and flocculant dosages, mixing speed, rapid mixing duration, and the pH of the water. The initial turbidity level of 5.45 NTU was reduced by up to 84.03%. The turbidity removal capacity observed in this study suggests that Opuntia cactus has considerable potential for application in surface water treatment.

The use of Moringa oleifera as a natural coagulant in surface water treatment

Synthetic coagulants currently used to treat dye wastewater in the water treatment industry has been found to produce large amounts of waste and is bad for the environment. The research then presents two different methods of preparing Hibiscus Sabdariffa as a natural coagulant which are direct method and freeze-drying method to possibly replace synthetic coagulant in treating dye wastewater. The two different methods of preparing natural coagulant Hibiscus Sabdariffa are compared in terms of protein retention and coagulation performance at removing dye from dye wastewater. This is to determine which method of preparation is better at preparing a Hibiscus Sabdariffa as a natural coagulant to be used in the water treatment industry. Three analysis are done to determine the optimum concentration of Hibiscus Sabdariffa powder and freeze-drying duration is based on (i) surface morphology, (ii) water solubility and (iii) water activity. Optimum concentration of Hibiscus Sabdariffa powder is 20wt% and 24-hour freeze-drying duration. Another analysis is done to compare protein retention of each methods of preparation using (iv) Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy testing. Protein in Hibiscus Sabdariffa prepared using freeze drying is completely retained based on Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy results. Supporting data of protein retention properties of freeze drying is proven by water activity in Hibiscus Sabdariffa powder is at 0.478 and below the 0.6 threshold value. Water activity of 0.478 means that there is not enough water content in Hibiscus Sabdariffa powder for microorganisms to grow and degrade the protein. Optimum coagulant dosage and pH value that Hibiscus Sabdariffa prepared using the two different methods best works in is determined based on two experiments called (v) effects of coagulant dosage on dye removal percentage and (vi) effect of pH value of preparation methods on colour removal percentage. Coagulation performance of both preparation methods are also determined using experiment (v) and (vi). Hibiscus Sabdariffa prepared using freeze drying has better coagulation performance with higher colour removal percentage at lower required coagulant dosage and higher dye removal percentage at varied pH values compared to direct method. As a result, freeze drying is better in terms of coagulation performance compared to direct method at preparing natural coagulant Hibiscus Sabdariffa. Coagulation performance of natural and chemical coagulant is compared using (vii) jar test comparison between natural and chemical coagulant on colour removal. This is to determine if coagulation performance of natural coagulant is comparable to chemical coagulant. Coagulation performance of natural coagulant is only slightly lower than synthetic coagulant at colour removal percentage of 91.2% compared to 92.3%. This makes the coagulation performance of natural coagulant comparable to synthetic coagulant allowing it to be an alternative to synthetic coagulant based on coagulation performance. Therefore, Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) will then be conducted to compare the better method of preparation of natural coagulant which is freeze-drying of natural coagulant Hibiscus Sabdariffa to chemical coagulant alum. Life Cycle Analysis done is to determine, evaluate and compare natural against chemical coagulant based on 3 sustainability aspects economic, environment and social aspects. This is to determine the feasibility of natural coagulant Hibiscus Sabdariffa in the water treatment industry on whether it is a possible alternative or replacement to the currently used synthetic coagulant alum. Based on Life Cycle Analysis natural coagulant is the better alternative compared to chemical coagulant based on impact towards the environment and health and well-being of society. However, the implementation of natural coagulant in the water treatment industry is still not feasible as production cost of natural coagulant is 126.86 times more expensive compared to chemical coagulant. As a result, currently Hibiscus Sabdariffa as a natural coagulant is not able to replace synthetic coagulant alum in the water treatment industry.

Natural plant-based coagulant is a natural based coagulant that can be used in coagulation process of water treatment. This study was conducted to investigate the potential of plant-based materials as coagulants for surface water treatment. Two types of locally available plant-based materials were selected as natural coagulants in this study are soybean and banana peel. Their efficiency in removing turbidity and color from raw surface water were analysed. Findings from the present study showed that the coagulation efficiency using soybean and banana peel were comparable to conventional chemical coagulants. The treatment of surface water using soybean and banana peel coagulant were found to be the most effective at dosage of 120 mg/L. The turbidity removal efficiency for soybean and banana peel are 23.2% and 15% respectively. In present works, both plant-based coagulants were found to be a suitable coagulant for surface water on the basis of removal of turbidity and color, respectively.

Drinking water shortage has become a significant problem in urban areas due to the growth of population and high economic activities. It is known that Shah Alam is the city and the state of Selangor, Malaysia. This city has the most manufacturing sector and services with a huge number of inhabitants. Thus, this urban area needs to have sufficient clean water supply. However, the raw water needs to undergo several water treatments processes before it can safely distribute to the residents. This untreated water from incoming surface waters contains suspended particles that need to go through the water treatment process, and most importantly, the coagulation and flocculation process. Normally, aluminum sulfate (alum) or polymer were added as the coagulant for the treatment of untreated water. However, due to health concerns, natural coagulants have been preferred to replace the conventional method. This natural coagulant is environmentally friendly and has no side effects if being consumed. This research aims to investigate the optimum condition of natural coagulant (Moringa oleifera) for the treatment of surface water from Shah Alam Lakes in Selangor Region, Malaysia. These lakes can be a potential source of water if water shortage occurs. At first, the characteristics of the water samples were determined. Later, the sample of surface water from the lakes was examined with the jar test for the coagulation-flocculation process using Moringa oleifera with different concentrations. The water quality parameters such as pH, turbidity, suspended solids, phosphorus and chemical oxygen demand were evaluated. From the results obtained, Moringa oleifera can be considered as suitable alternatives to replace chemical coagulants for a sustainable water treatment system.

Access to save water is a serious issue affecting people of all ages for those living in remote communities where availability of improved water sources is limited; the quality of water and its treatment has become an increasing concern in developing nations like Nigeria, where proper treatment is lacking. The high cost of treated water makes most people in rural communities to employ readily available sources which are of low quality exposing them to water borne diseases. This study assessed the use of natural coagulants such as: Papaya, Sodom apple, Neem, Moringa oleifera, in the treatment of surface water. Physical, chemical and bacteriological analysis before and after treatment with each coagulants was carried out. Aluminum Sulphate was also used as a chemical coagulant. From the experiment Moringa seed was the best coagulant of all the seeds used to treat the water samples. The following parameters showed its result before and after treatment with Moringa oleifera: pH (7.6, 7.8), Total alkalinity (180, 126), Calcium hardness (156, 140), Calcium ion (62.4, 56), Magnesium hardness (14, 36), Magnesium ion (3.42, 8.78), Chloride (55, 62.8), Sulphate (50, 60), Silica (4, 2), COD (28.4, 4.13), Colour (50, 20), Turbidity (5.73, 3.98), Total solids (836, 696), Total suspended solid (642, 384), Total dissolved solid (194, 312), fell within the WHO guideline for drinking water except total hardness which is given as (170, 180). This could be as a result of high mineral content. The result obtained for the heavy metals and bacteriological analysis also showed that Moringa oleifera was the most active agent of all the coagulant used. Therefore, Moringa seed can be used conveniently as an alternative to Aluminum sulphate for the treatment of surface water for drinking purposes without causing detrimental effect on human health.

<p>Las poblaciones que consumen agua de fuentes hídricas deben garantizar una buena calidad para su consumo, por ello se tuvo por objetivo evaluar la efectividad de especies naturales como ayudantes de coagulación para la clarificación de aguas turbias que se generan en épocas de avenidas en los ríos LLullan, Paria y Chucchun. La metodología aplicada: Recolección de los coagulantes, Test de jarras y determinación de dosis optimas y pH. Se utilizó coagulantes naturales como la mashua, papa, tara, penca y trigo, que se añadieron a la muestra en el ensayo de test de jarras, obteniéndose una dosis de 45 mg/l a un pH de agua de 7,5 con concentraciones de 5,3% obteniéndose valores de remoción importantes para los parámetros de turbiedad y solidos disueltos totales.<br />Al evaluar la eficiencia se comprobó que existe remoción de turbiedad por debajo de la norma, con valores de eficiencia de 89,9% para los coagulantes de mashua, papa, tara, penca y trigo, los coagulantes alcanzaron la remoción de solidos disueltos de hasta el 89% en la tara y un mínimo de 13,5% en el trigo valor exigido por la norma. Por tanto, es posible utilizar insumos naturales como coagulantes para la clarificación de aguas superficiales en épocas de lluvias y pode potabilizarlas y ser aptas para consumo humano</p>

Introduction: The most important pollutant in surface water sources is turbidity. The aim of the study is to determine the most effective thyme plant extract as a natural coagulant to remove water turbidity and compare it with alum as a chemical coagulant.. Materials and Methods: In this study, plant extracts obtained from Thymus vulgaris (Tv), Thymus kotschyanus (Tk), and Thymus eriocalyx (Te) were used as natural coagulants for elimination of water turbidity. Then, the best of plant extract was confirmed by ninhydrin and FTIR analyses and the effect of simultaneous use of plant extract with chemical coagulant of aluminum sulfate (alum) was investigated in the hybrid ratio of 1:1, 2:1, and 1:2. Then, the effect of parameters include of pH, coagulant dose, turbidity removal efficiency, and the most suitable solvent for coagulant extraction were studied. Results: The results of this study showed that among the natural coagulants, Tv had a higher efficiency in elimination of water turbidity, and the highest amounts of turbidity elimination for Tv, alum, and Tv/alum hybrid coagulants was 94, 90, and 96, respectively. According to the results of this study, the most effective solvent for preparing plant extracts was 1M KCl solvent. Conclusion: The natural coagulant removes more turbidity from water than the chemical coagulant, and the simultaneous use of natural and chemical coagulants with a 1:1 ratio was more effective.

This work aims to study the technical problems of algal blooms that hinder the purification process of surface water used for drinking purposes and not its harmful effect on human health and the surrounding environment. It is also related to the demonstration of the improved coagulation process as an efficient technique in the algal removal from surface water by its application in jar tests. The study was carried out in the water purification plant in Nazlet Abdellah near the city of Assiut, Egypt. To achieve that, many ores and natural materials which aid in the removing of the algal blooms from surface water during the purification processes were tested. The examined materials should be technically and economically proper for improving the removal of algae from treated surface water for drinking purposes. The results showed that the kaolinite and bentonite (K and B) when coupled separately with aluminum sulfate (alum.) (the main coagulant agent) associated with the raw surface water in the flocculation basin were more efficient in the algae removal from treated surface water before reaching the sand filters by ratio up to 90%.

Removal of natural organic matter from potential drinking water sources by combined coagulation and adsorption using carbon nanomaterials

Investigation on surface water treatment using blended moringa oleifera seed and aloe vera plants as natural coagulants

The efficacy of three plant-based natural coagulants, namely papaya seed powder, banana peel powder, and lemon peel powder, was evaluated in this study for their ability to remove high electric conductivity turbidity, hardness, fluoride, and nitrate from surface water. The experiments were conducted at room temperature without any adjustment to the initial pH. The results indicated that banana peel powder exhibited the highest turbidity removal rate, achieving 55.6% removal when used at a dosage of 0.4 g/L. Furthermore, banana peel powder demonstrated excellent removal efficiency for fluoride and nitrate, with 85% removal observed at the same dosage. Lemon peel powder also exhibited significant effectiveness, achieving 60% removal. Papaya seed powder proved to be the most efficient coagulant for removing hardness, demonstrating a removal rate of 69.66%. The study further revealed a noteworthy linear relationship between the removal of turbidity and hardness, as evidenced by correlation coefficients (R2) ranging from 0.67 to 0.88. Similar linear relationships were observed for turbidity removals, with R2 values ranging from 0.68 to 0.8. An additional advantage of using these natural coagulants was that they did not cause any pH alteration in the treated surface water. Moreover, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis of banana peels indicated the presence of functional groups such as carboxylic acid, hydroxyl, and aliphatic amines. These functional groups likely play a crucial role in facilitating coagulation and flocculation by neutralizing the charges of impurities in the water.
 This study suggests that inexpensive natural coagulants hold promise for surface water treatment, offering a viable alternative to conventional methods.

Surface water treatment with tannin-based coagulants from Quebracho ( Schinopsis balansae)

Brazil suffers from the problem of lack of basic sanitation, and this fact is intensified in the Amazon region, as a large part of the population lives in areas of vulnerability. The use of chemical coagulants causes harm to the environment and human health. The application of natural coagulants emerges as a promising alternative, as it dispenses with the use of chemicals, presents a simple, low-cost, easy-to-reproduce methodology that is accessible to any community, promoting health and environmental improvements. The objective of this study was to produce a natural coagulant based on Amazonian cacti to treat water intended for human consumption in a riverside community. For the study, about 500 grams of the aerial part of Cereus jamacaru was collected in the community of Santa Maria do Boiaçu-RR. The thorns were removed, and the cactus was washed, cut, accommodated in trays and taken to the sun. After drying, the cactus pieces were crushed and sieved. The water samples for the study were collected at 3 points and the treatability test was carried out in the laboratory. Statistical analyzes revealed that the natural cactus-based coagulant is an efficient social technology for the treatment of groundwater and surface water.