Eutrophication of natural and manmade impoundments has become a problem in many countries, including south Africa, problems associated with eutrophication include profuse algae blooms, excessive growth of nuisance aquatic plants, negative aesthetic aspects, deoxygenation , and problems relating to water purification for potable use. Most adsorbent materials used in these nutrient ion removal from polluted water, such as lime, alum and commercial activated carbon (CAC), are expensive. The utilisation of raw maize tassel, an agro-based waste material, for the adsorptive removal of phosphate ion from aqueous solution was first reported in 2009 (Zvinowanda et al.). In this study, the feasibility of using raw maize tassel powder as well as chemically activated carbon produced from it, as an alternative low cost adsorbent material for the remediation of nutrient (PO43-) pollution was being investigated. The results obtained thus far suggest that activated carbon produced from maize tassel is a candidate adsorbent for remediation of contaminated water.

Preparation, characterization, and application of activated tassel for the remediation of eutrophic phosphorus in contaminated water

249th National Meeting (2015)

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