Application of Chitosan, Ferric Chloride and Aluminium Sulphate in the Removal of Heavy Metals from Coastal, Estuarine and Industrial Wastewater

Abstract

Water quality in water bodies is subjected to the natural degradation process of eutrophication and has adverse effect on social development. Most of the water bodies in Kochi, Alappuzha and Kottayam shrunk considerably due to the aggressive rapid urbanization process and overpowering invasion. This study aims at assessing the physic-chemical parameters of coastal, estuarine and industrial wastewater samples and application of chitosan in removal of heavy metals. A study was conducted to determine the physico-chemical parameters of water of 5 different water bodies and 2 industries in Ernakulam, Kottayam and Alappuzha named Periyar River, Fort Kochi beach, Poonithura Canal, Vembanadu Lake, Vettikattumukku pond in Kottayam, and two seafood industries in Cochin from March to May, 2021. The selected parameters were water temperature, color, salinity, pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), concentration of nutrients (Nitrite, Phosphate and Silicate) and concentration of alkali metals (Sodium, Potassium and Calcium). This analytical study would improve the socio eco features of these water bodies by employing utility-based restoration plans. Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements, which are found throughout the earth’s crust, most environmental contamination and human exposure and majority of them are carcinogenic. We removed the heavy metals for reducing the toxicity of wastewater in eco-friendly and cheaper way using chitosan, aluminium sulphate and ferric chloride. Under different pH conditions, adsorption of chromium and copper ions by chitosan was investigated. Amount of chromium and copper absorbed or the efficiency of heavy metal removal by chitosan, alum and ferric chloride were determined using ICP-AES. Among Chromium and Copper, Cu can be efficiently removed from the water using chitosan at higher pH. Ferric chloride is more efficient in removing heavy metals than Aluminium sulfate at the same pH.