(152ao) Applications of Banana Peels Derived Bio-Adsorbent in NOM Removal from Surface Water

Natural organic matter (NOM) is a complex organic substance found in surface water due to hydrological, biological, and geological interactions. This work aims to determine the effectiveness of a bio adsorbent made from waste banana peels in removing NOM from surface water. The bio-adsorbent was prepared by oven-drying for 24 hours at 105℃ then grinded to make powdered form and further physically treated in a muffle furnace in absence of oxygen at 500℃ for 1.5 hours. It was also chemically treated with Hydrochloric Acid (0.1N) (Abdulfatai et al., 2012). The bio-adsorbent was tested for its ability to adsorb NOM in surface water samples collected from two sites: Rahuki Stream and Channel Canal Sindh Pakistan. Several trials were performed to optimize the parameters and optimal dosage was 100mg, 60 min contact time, at 160 RPM, & 5.5 pH for maximum efficiency. The samples were analyzed for UV₂₅₄ and DOC levels before and after the removal process. The bio adsorbent showed a maximum efficiency of 96% in removing compounds that absorb the wavelength of 254nm on UV spectrophotometer and 93.4% for removing DOC. This bio adsorbent has significant economic and environmental benefits as it is made from waste banana peels and provides an alternative solution for removal of NOM (absorbance at UV₂₅₄ because they are considered important parameter for drinking water) from surface water. The results of this study suggest that this bio-adsorbent could be used on a larger scale for water treatment purposes.

Reference

Abdulfatai, J., Saka, A. A., Afolabi, A. S., & Micheal, O. (2012). Development of Adsorbent from Banana Peel for Wastewater Treatment. Applied Mechanics and Materials, 248, 310–315. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.248.310