A simple and inexpensive water purification method was developed using natural coagulant (Moringa seed powder) and antibacterial agents (scallop powder) followed by bio-sand filtration. In this study, surface water from different sources (e.g. pond, canal, lake and river) treated with combined Moringa seed powder, and scallop powder (MOSP) at a ratio of 2:1 for 10 minutes showed a clear water layer at the top and a sediment layer at the bottom. The clear water was then passed through an eight-fold sari cloth and/or natural bio-sand filtration and the resulting water was found drinkable. The microbiological and physico-chemical quality of this water showed non-significant differences compared to the US EPA drinking water quality parameters. Moreover, no cytotoxic effect of MOSP with BHK-21 and HeLa cells, nor any bacterial endotoxins were observed, indicating use of MOSP does not pose any adverse health effect. Furthermore, the quality of 6 months stored water at room temperature was found acceptable, indicating the usefulness of this technology for drinking water purposes. On the other hand, the sediment or sludge produced in this process could be used in agricultural fields after proper composting. Therefore, this simple, inexpensive and ecofriendly method could be used in drinking water scarcity areas of the world.
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Research Article|
July 15 2016
Low cost and sustainable surface water purification methods using Moringa seeds and scallop powder followed by bio-sand filtration
Sharmin Zaman;
Sharmin Zaman
1Center for Advanced Research in Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
2Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
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Anowara Begum;
Anowara Begum
2Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
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K. S. Rabbani;
K. S. Rabbani
3Department of Biomedical Physics and Technology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
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Latiful Bari
1Center for Advanced Research in Sciences, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
E-mail: [email protected]
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Water Supply (2017) 17 (1): 125–137.
Article history
Received:
February 11 2016
Accepted:
June 13 2016
Citation
Sharmin Zaman, Anowara Begum, K. S. Rabbani, Latiful Bari; Low cost and sustainable surface water purification methods using Moringa seeds and scallop powder followed by bio-sand filtration. Water Supply 1 February 2017; 17 (1): 125–137. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/ws.2016.111
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