BackgroundThe pollution of surface waters, due to the demographic and economic growth, requires very complex ways of treatment, where the world concern is focused on the substitution of synthetic products commonly used for the depollution of waters, by other natural elements, to ensure sustainable development. Moreover the main object of our study is to exploit natural supports, as bio polymers able to substitute the synthetic polymers used as aids of flocculation in the treatment of waters loaded with suspended solids (SS), and heavy metals, notably copper and zinc. For this purpose we used a new organic bio-flocculant, which we extracted from natural Lepidium sativum (LS) seeds, used for the first time as a flocculation aid to reduce the coagulant salt, improve the conglomerates of generated flocs, and ensure the removal of Copper and Zinc. Namely that the LS extract is known for its performance in various fields such as cosmetology, pharmacology and food products. Moreover, it does not present any danger for human health. MethodsOur preliminary flocculation tests were carried out on samples prepared at the laboratory level, and various operating parameters were studied such as: pH, nature and concentration of coagulant and bioflocculent content. After treatment, turbidity is monitored by nephelometric method, trace elements are analyzed by AAF and other spectroscopic methods are used (UV–Visible, SEM/EDS, XRD). Significant findsMucilage efficiency is studied in comparison with other products usually used in water treatment and depollution. The comparative study with a synthetic flocculant, anionic (Polyacrylamide: PAM), offers a good competitiveness with an important flocculation power. The association of the two stages of coagulation by the neutralizing salt, followed by flocculation using a new bioflocculent extracted from LS, gave significant results, in the abatement of SS in particular that based on marly limestone, where the turbidity passes from an average of 600 NTU to values close to 1NTU, as well as with the major elements in heavy metals (Copper and Zinc) of which a notable rate of elimination. The sludge generated after treatment using bioflocculent was found compact with less volume and it's same to the one generated from PAM synthesis flocculent. The first one was subjected to (SEM/EDS) and XRD analyses, all the chemical elements retained are detected after confirming that this sludge has less danger on the environment.
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