Effectiveness of Integrated Moringa Oleifera Seed Coagulation and Composite Diatomaceous Earth, Activated Carbon, and Zeolite Filter for Poultry Wastewater Purification

Author

Shanaia Venice G. De Jesus, MA. Angelica Reese A. Gatbunton, Xaviera Gwyneth B. Mendoza, Clarence G. Mananguit, Jayson B. Eugelio


Abstract

 Water pollution caused by various sources, particularly untreated poultry wastewater, poses a growing environmental concern. This study evaluated the use of Moringa oleifera seed powder as a natural coagulant and a composite filter consisting of activated carbon, diatomaceous earth, and zeolite. The study aimed to determine improvements in selected physicochemical characteristics of the treated water, including total dissolved solids (TDS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, and phosphate concentration. The untreated wastewater had a pH of 6.71, a COD of 401 mg O₂/L, a TDS of 658 mg/L, and a phosphate concentration of 5.70 mg PO₄³⁻-P/L before treatment. After treatment, the pH increased to 7.05, while COD decreased to 120 mg O₂/L, TDS to 380 mg/L, and phosphate concentration to 1.20 mg PO₄³⁻-P/L. These changes resulted in reductions of 70.07% in COD, 42.25% in TDS, and 78.95% in phosphate concentration, while the pH increased by 0.34 units toward neutral conditions. Among the measured parameters, phosphate concentration showed the greatest percentage reduction, followed by COD and TDS. The findings indicated that the combined coagulation and composite filtration approach was effective in improving the selected physicochemical characteristics of poultry wastewater under the conditions of the study. However, the treatment did not completely remove the measured pollutants, and the results alone could not establish that the treated wastewater was safe for discharge or reuse. Further research should focus on appropriate control comparisons, replications, the application of the combined system under real-world conditions, and the inclusion of other water quality parameters to enhance treatment performance and improve the reliability of the findings.


Keywords

Poultry wastewater, Moringa Oleifera seed powder, Coagulation, Composite filtration, Physicochemical characteristics.



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References


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