The Role of Ripe Musa sapientum (Plantain) Peels in the Removal of Phosphorus and Nitrogen from Aqueous Solution

Abstract

The effluents that are generated from wastewaters are major contributors to various water pollution problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the applicability and feasibility of using plantain peel in the removal of phosphorus and nitrogen in aqueous solutions, using four different modifications of the peel at three (2.5%, 5 % and 10 %) different concentrations. Although some measure of phosphate absorptions were observed in the presence of some of the peel medications, remarkable nitrate removals were observed in the presence of all the peel modifications used. In the presence of the untreated carbonated sample, after a 5 h contact period,  nitrate levels were shown to decrease from the initial concentration of 297.80 mg/L to 174.46 mg/L, 196.57 mg/L and 221.91 mg/L, at 2.5 %, 5 % and 10 % peel concentrations, respectively. Nitrate levels after a 5 h contact time in the presence of the treated carbonated peel revealed a decrease from 297.80 mg/L to 144.21 mg/L, 174.33 mg/L and to 202.10 mg/L, at 2.5 % 5 % and 10 % peel concentrations, respectively. Also, after a 5 h contact time, nitrate levels in the aqueous solution in the presence of the  treated raw peel were observed to change from an initial level of 297.80 mg/L to 280.60 mg/L, 164.58 mg/L and 151.98 mg/L, at peel concentrations of 2.5 %, 5 % and 10 %, respectively. The study was able to reveal the potential of using this agro-waste for use in the bioremediation of polluted wastewater effluents.

Keywords: Nitrogen, phosphorus, plantain peels, wastewater