The Use Of Immobilized Stereospermum-Kunthianum Stem-Bark As Natural Coagulant For Treatment Of Waste Water

Abstract

The high cost of treated water makes most people in the rural communities resort to drinking water from sources of low quality exposing them to water borne diseases.It is in this regard that this research was carried out to confirm the effectiveness of using Immobilized Stereospermum kunthianum stem-bark for water treatment/purification which is a plant commonmly found in most rural communities of Biu in Borno state.The plant stem-bark was immobilized by entraping or caging the biomass within a polymeric matrix of sodium alginate and calcium chloride solution to obtaine immobilized Stereospermum kunthianum (IMSB). The precipitated blend solid was dried at room temperature. Coagulation was done by using loading doses of 2g, 4g, 6g,8g, and 10g of dried IMSB in a beaker containing 500ml each. A control (Beaker of water without IMSB was also included).Turbidity, Conductivity, pH and antimicrobial activities were determined for all the various doses.The turbidity value of the treated water using IMSB ranges from Log₁₀0.30 to Log₁₀1.36 while conductivity value ranges from  Log₁₀2.29 to Log₁₀2.72us/cm and the pH values for the treated water was7.2 to 7.8. All values obtained for treatment using IMSB gave values that are accepted according to World Health Organization (WHO) guideline for safe drinking water.