Sequential novel use of Moringa oleifera Lam., biochar, and sand to remove turbidity, E. coli, and heavy metals from drinking water

This research investigates the individual and combined use of Moringa oleifera (MO) Lam., biochar, and sand to remove turbidity, pathogens, and heavy metals from drinking water. Contaminated water was synthetically prepared using kaolin, standard nickel/lead solutions, and Escherichia coli (E. coli)...

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Main Authors: Ahsan Shah, Arun Arjunan, Georgina Manning, Maryam Batool, Julia Zakharova, Alisha J. Hawkins, Fatima Ajani, Ioanna Androulaki, Anusha Thumma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Cleaner Water
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950263224000486
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author Ahsan Shah
Arun Arjunan
Georgina Manning
Maryam Batool
Julia Zakharova
Alisha J. Hawkins
Fatima Ajani
Ioanna Androulaki
Anusha Thumma
author_facet Ahsan Shah
Arun Arjunan
Georgina Manning
Maryam Batool
Julia Zakharova
Alisha J. Hawkins
Fatima Ajani
Ioanna Androulaki
Anusha Thumma
author_sort Ahsan Shah
collection DOAJ
description This research investigates the individual and combined use of Moringa oleifera (MO) Lam., biochar, and sand to remove turbidity, pathogens, and heavy metals from drinking water. Contaminated water was synthetically prepared using kaolin, standard nickel/lead solutions, and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The optimal dose of MO seed protein, extracted in 1 M NaCl solution, was determined using a jar test flocculator. MO treatment reduced water turbidity from 200 to 4 NTU and achieved a 1–2 log reduction in E. coli from an initial count of 1×105 CFU/ml. Nevertheless, no significant reduction in nickel and lead concentrations was noted. Subsequently, the MO-treated water was passed through a biochar column supported on a sand bed, revealing clear water with 1 NTU turbidity and no trace of E. coli counts being detected. The sequential process of using biochar and sand reduced nickel and lead by 97.5 % and 99.3 %, respectively. The physicochemical properties of the treated water met WHO and UK standards for safe drinking water. All experiments were performed in duplicates (n=2; P < 0.05). The scalability and economic feasibility of the project, the mechanism of removal of contaminants by MO and biochar, and the study's limitations are also discussed.
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issn 2950-2632
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publishDate 2024-12-01
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spelling doaj-art-3320e197ec414ebc8d025c1454c539e02025-08-20T02:49:00ZengElsevierCleaner Water2950-26322024-12-01210005010.1016/j.clwat.2024.100050Sequential novel use of Moringa oleifera Lam., biochar, and sand to remove turbidity, E. coli, and heavy metals from drinking waterAhsan Shah0Arun Arjunan1Georgina Manning2Maryam Batool3Julia Zakharova4Alisha J. Hawkins5Fatima Ajani6Ioanna Androulaki7Anusha Thumma8Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UKSchool of Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences, University of Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UK; Correspondence to: Centre for Engineering Innovation and Research (CEIR) School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences,University of Wolverhampton, Telford TF2 9NT, United Kingdom.Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UKDepartment of Chemistry, University of Sahiwal, Sahiwal, PakistanFaculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UKFaculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UKFaculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UKFaculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, WV1 1LY, UKDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, FL, USAThis research investigates the individual and combined use of Moringa oleifera (MO) Lam., biochar, and sand to remove turbidity, pathogens, and heavy metals from drinking water. Contaminated water was synthetically prepared using kaolin, standard nickel/lead solutions, and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The optimal dose of MO seed protein, extracted in 1 M NaCl solution, was determined using a jar test flocculator. MO treatment reduced water turbidity from 200 to 4 NTU and achieved a 1–2 log reduction in E. coli from an initial count of 1×105 CFU/ml. Nevertheless, no significant reduction in nickel and lead concentrations was noted. Subsequently, the MO-treated water was passed through a biochar column supported on a sand bed, revealing clear water with 1 NTU turbidity and no trace of E. coli counts being detected. The sequential process of using biochar and sand reduced nickel and lead by 97.5 % and 99.3 %, respectively. The physicochemical properties of the treated water met WHO and UK standards for safe drinking water. All experiments were performed in duplicates (n=2; P < 0.05). The scalability and economic feasibility of the project, the mechanism of removal of contaminants by MO and biochar, and the study's limitations are also discussed.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950263224000486Water purificationNatural coagulantsCarbonised biomassSuspended solidsPathogensToxic metals
spellingShingle Ahsan Shah
Arun Arjunan
Georgina Manning
Maryam Batool
Julia Zakharova
Alisha J. Hawkins
Fatima Ajani
Ioanna Androulaki
Anusha Thumma
Sequential novel use of Moringa oleifera Lam., biochar, and sand to remove turbidity, E. coli, and heavy metals from drinking water
Cleaner Water
Water purification
Natural coagulants
Carbonised biomass
Suspended solids
Pathogens
Toxic metals
title Sequential novel use of Moringa oleifera Lam., biochar, and sand to remove turbidity, E. coli, and heavy metals from drinking water
title_full Sequential novel use of Moringa oleifera Lam., biochar, and sand to remove turbidity, E. coli, and heavy metals from drinking water
title_fullStr Sequential novel use of Moringa oleifera Lam., biochar, and sand to remove turbidity, E. coli, and heavy metals from drinking water
title_full_unstemmed Sequential novel use of Moringa oleifera Lam., biochar, and sand to remove turbidity, E. coli, and heavy metals from drinking water
title_short Sequential novel use of Moringa oleifera Lam., biochar, and sand to remove turbidity, E. coli, and heavy metals from drinking water
title_sort sequential novel use of moringa oleifera lam biochar and sand to remove turbidity e coli and heavy metals from drinking water
topic Water purification
Natural coagulants
Carbonised biomass
Suspended solids
Pathogens
Toxic metals
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950263224000486
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