Development of Pistia spp.- Based Biochar Filter for the Treatment of Industrial Wastewater: A Green Approach

Abstract

Biochar (BC) has a viable wastewater treatment agent. The invasive aquatic plant Pistia spp. was used to produce BC. Activated and non-activated BC samples were individually incorporated into a filter. Water quality parameters were measured in the experiment before and after treatment. The control filter was developed using only sand and gravel. The effect of particle sizes of BC (65-125mm and 125-250mm) and repeated treating process on treatment efficiency were carried out as optimization studies for activated BC filter. The filter unit containing activated BC showed a higher treatment efficiency. The results of the optimization study revealed that, the BC integrated filter units could be used to treat wastewater for three consecutive cycles. The BC's small particle size (65-125mm) recorded the highest treatment. This particle size showed turbidity reduction by 99.72 %. It was found that reduction of Total Phosphates, Ammoniacal Nitrogen, TSS, COD, Nitrate, BOD5 and TKN by 97.82 %, 91.49 %, 88.38 %, 88.18 %, 87.44 %, 84.38 %, and 84.38 % respectively. BC derived from Pistia spp. is a promising adsorbent for wastewater treatment. Findings of the study showed a long-term green wastewater treatment method that makes effective use of invasive aquatic plants.