Treatment of Hydrocarbon Contaminated Drinking Water in Niger Delta, Nigeria Using Low-Cost Adsorbents (Coconut Shell)

Abstract

The basic aim of this research was to explore how to effectively treat hydrocarbon contaminated drinking water using activated carbon made from coconut shell, in the context of Niger Delta region of Nigeria. While adsorption was seen as a viable option for easy removal of hydrocarbon contaminated drinking, simulation of contaminated drinking water was carried out using diesel as contaminant. The results indicated that there was more of a physical process in the tests/analysis rather than the anticipated chemical process. When fitted into existing Isotherm models, values charts and values obtained showed that the adsorption was not a favorable one for treatment of hydrocarbon contaminated drinking water. The study identified huge hydrocarbon contamination in drinking in Niger Delta and concluded that further studies be carried out in order to effectively curb the problem, in a more economical and viable manner.

Keywords: Hydrocarbon contaminated drinking water, Pollution, Activated Carbon, Water Treatment, Niger Delta, Nigeria