ACTIVATION AND PHYTO-COAGULATION POTENTIALS OF CASHEW AND KARIYA BIOCHARS FOR FISHPOND WATER TREATMENT

OKIKIOLA,, BOLUWAPE TEMITAYO (2021) ACTIVATION AND PHYTO-COAGULATION POTENTIALS OF CASHEW AND KARIYA BIOCHARS FOR FISHPOND WATER TREATMENT. Masters thesis, Landmark University, Omu Aran, Kwara State.

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Abstract

Intensive aquaculture production has resulted in environmental pollution due to the discharge of aquaculture water. The use of synthetic coagulants in fishpond water treatment has been associated with several drawbacks on human health and adverse environmental impact. Biochar and activated carbon are veritable organic materials produced from agrowaste biomass that are potentially eco-friendly, biodegradable, and sustainable. Although, little is documented about their uses as phyto-coagulants in the treatment of aquaculture water. This study assessed the activation and phyto-coagulation potentials of Cashew Bagasse (CB), Cashew leaves (CL), and Kariya leaves (KL) in fish pond water treatment technology under standard use of alum. Cashew bagasse, CL, and KL were collected and pyrolysed to obtain biochar yield at 400 oC/20 mins, 360 oC/20 mins, and 350 oC /5 mins, respectively. The biochars produced were chemically modified using 0.3 M Orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) at 1:2.36 (w/w) impregnation ratio to produce activated carbon. Physicochemical parameters including pH, bulk density, moisture content, volatile matter, and ash content were determined for biochar and activated carbon. Water samples collected from Landmark University Commercial Fish Pond were treated using coagulation-flocculation technology. Water quality and heavy metal parameters including turbidity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, zinc, chromium, nickel, and copper were determined using standard methods. The fish pond water was treated with biochar and activated carbon of CB, CL, and KL dosed at concentrations of 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 ppm, respectively. FTIR and SEM analysis was carried out on the best-performed biochar and activated carbon used as phytocoagulant in fish water treatment. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at P-value < 0.05. Biochar yields of 57.35 %, 40.33 %, and 28.25 % were respectively obtained for CL, CB, and KL. Cashew bagasse (CB) activated carbon had the highest significant reduction capacity (p<0.05) for zinc, copper, and chromium by 57 %, 55 %, and 54 % at optimum dosage of 90 ppm, 100 ppm, and 100 ppm after 30 mins, 30 mins and 1-hour settlement time, respectively. Cashew leaves (CL) activated carbon had the highest significant reduction capacity (p<0.05) for nickel of 86 % at 90 ppm after 1-hour settlement time. While CB activated carbon had the highest turbidity reduction level of 55 % at 100 ppm after 30 mins settlement time. KL activated carbon and CB biochar had the least temperature increase of 1 % at 100 ppm and 60 ppm after 1-hour, respectively. CL biochar had the highest dissolved oxygen value of 273 % at 90 ppm after 1- hour. CB biochar and activated carbon gave the best results in aquaculture water treatment. The biochar and activated carbons used in this study showed effectiveness in the treatment of aquaculture water. Therefore, they could be used in pond treatment by fish farmers as phyto-coagulants to remove turbidity and heavy metals due to their cost-effectiveness, biodegradability, and eco-friendliness in an aquatic environment.

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