Bio-Coagulation Potential of Leaf-Based Materials in Pharmaceutical Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Human health demands and population increase have led to the development of the pharmaceutical business. It causes a rise in the production of pharmaceuticals, which are then released into the environment following either full or partial treatment. It moves people and the environment at risk by releasing harmful substances into the water bodies. Antibiotic contamination of aquatic habitats is largely caused by wastewater released by the pharmaceutical industry. The current work uses plant-based Natural coagulants (NC) to treat Industrial Pharmaceutical wastewater at low cost and effective treatment. According to a number of studies, plant-based natural coagulants are a more cost-effective way to treat wastewater from the pharmaceutical business. An affordable, sustainable, and eco-friendly substitute for synthetic chemicals is the use of natural coagulants.  These natural coagulants have been shown to be beneficial in treating wastewater. The most effective natural coagulants are a variety of them, including Moringa Oleifera (Moringa Leaves) and Mango leaves (Mangifera Indica) to determine the ideal dosage by using jar test apparatus, the selected natural coagulant is mixed with the concentrations of 3 ml stock solution in 1000 ml of pharmaceutical wastewater collected in a beaker. Using natural coagulants, the tests are conducted starting with the ideal dosage and varying the Hydraulic retention time (HRT) 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours. The pH, turbidity, TS, TDS, TSS, COD, Alkalinity, phenolic compound, and phosphate is analyzed after treated with different Natural coagulant of size 150 µm, , the highest percentage of COD reduction achieved with Moringa powder leaf was 87.6%  with 8 Hrs Hydraulic Retention Time. The sludge collected at the bottom at 8 hrs HRT for moringa leaf is analyzed for FE SEM and EDX for structural morphology and elements present before and after treatment with raw pharmaceutical industrial wastewater.