Removal of Sediment and Bacteria from Water Using Green Chemistry

Although nearly all newly derived water purification methods have improved the water quality in developing countries, few have been accepted and maintained for long-term use. Field studies indicate that the most beneficial methods use indigenous resources, as they are both accessible and accepted by...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science & technology 2010-05, Vol.44 (9), p.3514-3519
Main Authors: Buttice, Audrey L, Stroot, Joyce M, Lim, Daniel V, Stroot, Peter G, Alcantar, Norma A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Bacillus cereus
Bacillus cereus - metabolism
Bacteria
Cactaceae
Calcium Chloride - chemistry
Chemistry - methods
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Drinking water and swimming-pool water. Desalination
Environmental Restoration and Remediation
Environmental science
Exact sciences and technology
Green chemistry
Ions
Kaolin - chemistry
Opuntia ficus-indica
Pollution
Sediments
Sustainability Engineering and Green Chemistry
Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods
Water Microbiology
Water Pollutants
Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry
Water purification
Water Purification - methods
Water quality
Water treatment
Water treatment and pollution
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Summary:Although nearly all newly derived water purification methods have improved the water quality in developing countries, few have been accepted and maintained for long-term use. Field studies indicate that the most beneficial methods use indigenous resources, as they are both accessible and accepted by communities they help. In an effort to implement a material that will meet community needs, two fractions of mucilage gum were extracted from the Opuntia ficus-indica cactus and tested as flocculation agents against sediment and bacterial contamination. As diatomic ions are known to affect both mucilage and promote cell aggregation, CaCl2 was studied in conjunction and compared with mucilage as a bacteria removal method. To evaluate performance, ion-rich waters that mimic natural water bodies were prepared. Column tests containing suspensions of the sediment kaolin exhibited particle flocculation and settling rates up to 13.2 cm/min with mucilage versus control settling rates of 0.5 cm/min. Bacillus cereus tests displayed flocculation and improved settling times with mucilage concentrations lower than 5 ppm and removal rates between 97 and 98% were observed for high bacteria concentration tests (>108 cells/ml). This natural material not only displays water purification abilities, but it is also affordable, renewable and readily available.
ISSN:0013-936X
1520-5851
DOI:10.1021/es9030744