Reports on Dockum aquifer show that this aquifer can be an important source of groundwater for irrigation, public supply, oil field activity, livestock and manufacturing. Dockum aquifer is high in total dissolved solids and hardness. The solution to this problem would be to reduce the contaminant levels in the water to standard accepted values. It was proposed to use the plant-derived ecofriendly polysaccharides as adsorbents/ flocculants to reduce the contaminant levels.  Food grade polysaccharides were extracted from fenugreek seeds and psyllium husk using standard methods. Tamarind polysaccharide is commercially available and was used as it is. The polysaccharides were characterized using FTIR. Water samples from different wells from Dockum aquifer were collected and brought to our lab and were characterized for suspended solids (SS), Total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrates, phosphates, chlorides, pH, sulfates, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium.  Lab scale adsorption experiments were done to study efficiency of the polymers in removal of above mentioned contaminants. The contaminants concentrations were measured before and after treatment to determine the efficiency of the polysaccharides as treatment agents. Gravimetric and Ion chromatographic methods were used to detect contaminant concentrations. The concentrations of the polymers were varied from 0.5g/L to 2g/L. The contact time of the polymers with water were varied from immediately to 2 hours to determine the best contact time for maximum removal of contaminants using different polymer doses. Irrigation experiments were conducted in the green house using three different types of plants. These plants were chosen based upon their salt tolerant capacity. These plants were irrigated with treated untreated and tap water for 10 weeks.  It was found that the green polymers used are capable of removing the suspended solids, total dissolved solids, cations and anions. Results showed that treated water can be reused for irrigation purposes.

Plant-based polymers as effective treatment agents in removal of dissolved solids and ions in wastewater for reuse in plant irrigation

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.