Articles
Evaluation and characterization of Opuntia harvested species in the state of Paraíba, Brazil, for use as a biocoagulant and bioflocculant in water and effluent treatment
Article number
1343_33
Pages
251 – 262
Language
English
Abstract
With the advancement of production systems, the continuous demand for water resources by the population in urban areas and the respective expansion of agricultural capacity from intensive irrigation, the generation of waste has become a worrying factor for governments and productive sectors.
In addition, the use of inorganic coagulants in the treatment of effluents has generated discussions about the limitations of their efficiency and side effects on the human body, as well as the search for alternatives that perform the treatment with a minimum of environmental impact.
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Opuntia cochenillifera (sweet forage cactus) and Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. (jaguar ear forage cactus) cultivated in the State of Paraíba, Brazil, in the treatment of water and effluents and its technical feasibility as a biocoagulant and bioflocculant.
Characterizations of infrared spectrometry FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis TGA, suspended solids concentration, turbidity and pH analysis were performed.
The results obtained indicated that the studied species reduced the turbidity of the effluent samples by a percentage greater than 75%, the amount of suspended solids removed is greater than 75%, and a significant amount of polysaccharides is detected in the jaguar ear species, in comparison with the other species studied.
One of the additional consequences of this application of the forage cactus is to expand the functionality of the forage cactus, directing it to an area other than animal feeding in periods of drought, providing conditions for opening a new economic front and fostering income and job generation in the semi-arid region of Paraíba, Brazil.
In addition, the use of inorganic coagulants in the treatment of effluents has generated discussions about the limitations of their efficiency and side effects on the human body, as well as the search for alternatives that perform the treatment with a minimum of environmental impact.
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Opuntia cochenillifera (sweet forage cactus) and Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. (jaguar ear forage cactus) cultivated in the State of Paraíba, Brazil, in the treatment of water and effluents and its technical feasibility as a biocoagulant and bioflocculant.
Characterizations of infrared spectrometry FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis TGA, suspended solids concentration, turbidity and pH analysis were performed.
The results obtained indicated that the studied species reduced the turbidity of the effluent samples by a percentage greater than 75%, the amount of suspended solids removed is greater than 75%, and a significant amount of polysaccharides is detected in the jaguar ear species, in comparison with the other species studied.
One of the additional consequences of this application of the forage cactus is to expand the functionality of the forage cactus, directing it to an area other than animal feeding in periods of drought, providing conditions for opening a new economic front and fostering income and job generation in the semi-arid region of Paraíba, Brazil.
Publication
Authors
D.D. Muniz, N.P. Barbosa, L.D.M. Alves, E.A.S. Correia, E.B.C. Santos
Keywords
Cactaceae, characterization, sustainability, water and effluent treatment
Groups involved
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