Improving nitrate removal from groundwater by acid-modified citrus, coconut and bamboo charcoals

One of the most important pollutants of groundwater resources is nitrate ion, which has harmful effects on the human body. In addition to the natural cycle of nitrogen, nitrate has entered into water and soil resources due to the entrance of human wastewater, urban and industrial waste, as well as agricultural activities that have undesirable influences on the health of consumers. Adsorption is considered as one of the effective methods for removing pollutants due to low cost, as well as easy design and operation. The use of coconut, bamboo and citrus charcoal as an adsorbent to remove nitrate pollutants from groundwater is very cost effective due to their low cost and availability. The percentage of nitrate removal by each type of the pure charcoals at pH=2 and the initial concentration of nitrate (100 ppm) and adsorbent dose (15 g/l) was approximately 30%, which by modification of charcoals using HCL, increasing of removal rate in the same conditions, in particular for coconut and bamboo charcoal had been very impressive. By modification of citrus charcoal, the removal rate was enhanced up to 10%, and by modification of coconut and bamboo charcoal, the removal rate has improved up to 100%. Therefore, by modification of all three types of coconut, bamboo, and citrus, the amount of nitrate ion removal significantly increased, which makes them more economical.

Keywords:

groundwater , nitrate , adsorbent , coconut charcoal , bamboo charcoal , modification.