UTILIZATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON ON THE TREATMENT OF MUBI ABATTOIR WASTEWATER EFFLUENT

Abstract

Discharge of untreated industrial wastewater effluent into the natural environment could result to a threat to environmental and public health safety. Available records from several health centers across the study area revealed that, the rate of water borne diseases is so alarming. Using standard method and procedure the present study investigated the biological and physico-chemical properties of Mubi abattoir wastewater effluent and compare with the standard discharge limit stipulated by W.H.O. The result revealed that Copper and zinc concentrations were found to be far much above the WHO standard discharge limit. A high removal efficiency of 92% and a matching adsorption capacity of 183 mg/g have been obtained for copper removal efficiency by activated carbon under varying contact duration (20-260 min) at fixed dosage (1.5 g) and pH (8). On the other hand, the zinc elimination rate using activated carbon at a fixed dosage (1.5 g) and pH (8) under varied contact time (20-260 min) has been reported to be 94%, with an adsorption capacity of 317 mg/g. The potential for sustainable industrial application of activated carbon adsorbent is suggested by its high removal efficiency and adsorption capacity.