Natural coagulant of laban wood (Vitex pubescens Vahl) for turbidity water treatment

Abstract

The groundwater physical condition in Sleman Regency, Indonesia is generally cloudy and contains high amount of iron (Fe) so it is not sufficient to use for daily needs drinking water. High levels of Fe are dangerous for humans. This study aims to process and purify ground water and reduce iron content using laban wood (Vitex pubescens Vahl). This media was chosen because it is a local waste furniture industry in Sleman Regency. Indeed, it is conducted as charcoal. Then, the charcoal is chemically activated by soaking with H2SO4 for 24 hours. Furthermore, it is activated physically by heating up to 120°C for 30 minutes. Laban wood (Vitex pubescens Vahl) activated charcoal was characterized using UV-Vis to determine iron (Fe) levels after filtration. In addition, the filtration water is measured using a pH meter to determine the degree of acidity, TDS meter and the efficiency of light transmission to determine the turbidity. To summarize, Laban wood activated charcoal was effectively used as a filtration media. It gives an effect for increasing the light transmission efficiency, decreasing TDS value, and absorption of iron (Fe) levels efficiency. However, it does not affect the pH value. The highest light transmission efficiency value is found in the adsorbent type of laban activated charcoal which is equal to (6.91 ± 0.005)% at a mass of 500 grams. As for the TDS value, the highest decrease in TDS value was TDS value of (140.0 ± 0.5) ppm when it was 500 grams. The highest efficiency of absorption of iron content is found in the composition of laban activated charcoal which is equal to Fe to (87.27 ± 0.2)%. This activated charcoal can be used as a medium to reduce iron content up to (2.27 ± 0.005) mg / L. Therefore, laban active charcoal which is chemically activated with H2SO4 for 24 hours effective to reduce iron (Fe) levels according to the stipulated clean water requirements Indonesian Minister of Health Regulation Number 416 / MENKES / PER / IX / 1990.