Optimisation of Moringa oleifera pod extract concentration for Surface water clarification

Abstract

Natural coagulants can potentially compliment or replace synthetic chemicals used for turbidity removal from surface water. This paper evaluated the turbidity removal efficiency of Moringa oleifera pod extracts on synthetic high and medium turbidity raw water. The turbidity removal efficiency was evaluated at 3, 6 and 9% w/v stock solutions of M. oleifera pod extract, using jar test. Results obtained revealed that 6% w/v M. oleifera pod extract optimally removed turbidity from the synthetic raw water at about 200 mg/L coagulant dose, corresponding to a turbidity removal efficiency of about 80% in both high and medium turbid synthetic raw waters. This study demonstrated the potentials in using M. oleifera pod extract for turbidity removal from surface water. The pod extract can be used to clarify raw water at household level in rural communities.

Keywords: Clarification; extract concentration; Moringa oleifera pod; synthetic raw water; turbidity removal.