Domestic Wastewater Treatment through the Application of Corchuros olitorius L. as Bio-Coagulant in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines

Abstract

This research paper presented the potential of Corchuros olitorius L. as a natural coagulant in the removal of turbidity, total suspended solids, and biochemical oxygen demand from the domestic wastewater of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines. Optimization of the natural coagulant and synthetic coagulant was employed prior to the treatment design. The jar test method was used in the optimization and lab analysis including the gravimetric method, dilution technique, and digital measurements. The optimization results of Corchuros olitorius L. using the jar test method revealed better removal at a lower dosage of 50 mg/L and a higher settling time of 90 minutes. The characterization using FTIR analysis also suggests a functional group that influences coagulation activity. Using the optimum dose and optimum settling time, results with the different treatment designs showed the highest removal at pH 7 showed % BOD removal of 89.78% (A₇₅C₂₅); 85.98% (A₂₅C₇₅); 88.76% (A₅₀C₅₀). TSS removal measured values of 88.50% (A₇₅C₂₅), 85.56% (A₂₅C₇₅), and 87.16% (A₅₀C₅₀), while turbidity removal of 83.47% (A₇₅C₂₅), 80.27% (A₂₅C₇₅), and 80.27% (A₅₀C₅₀). Statistically, measured values differ between treatment designs. It is suggested to investigate removal efficiency in more varied pH conditions, different settling times, stirring speed, and other variables for future studies.