Efficiency of sustainable green coagulants to remove turbidity

Abstract

Abstract In wastewater treatment systems, coagulation is important to enhance turbidity removal in terms of physicochemical treatment. In this study, the aim is to use plant leaves and seed as sustainable environment strategy to treat turbid water. Four plant leaves (Alhagi graecorum, Beta vulgaris L., Capparis spinosa, and Medicago sativa), plant stem (Beta vulgaris L.) and two fruit seeds (Phoenix dactylifera L and Prunus armeniaca) are used and all local in Iraq. The experiments were run with different green coagulant concentrations of 0, 1000, 3000, 5000, and 7000 mg/L to test turbidity removal of 500 NTU. The best removal results were with 1000 mg/ L green coagulant as Capparis spinosa (45%), Medicago sativa (49%), Beta vulgaris L. (leaves 47%, stem 56%), and Phoenix dactylifera L. (45%). While Alhagi graecorum and Prunus armeniaca with 3000, and 7000 mg/L green coagulant reached to 67, and 62% turbidity removal respectively. This results support the concept of sustainable environment by using green natural coagulants available in ecosystem.