TITLE:
Evaluation of the Opuntia dillenii as Natural Coagulant in Water Clarification: Case of Treatment of Highly Turbid Surface Water
AUTHORS:
Yéwêgnon Alima Esther Irma Nougbodé, Cokou Pascal Agbangnan, Alain Yaya Koudoro, Comlan Achille Dèdjiho, Martin Pépin Aïna, Daouda Mama, Dominique Codjo Koko Sohounhloué
KEYWORDS:
Natural Coagulant; Opuntia dillenii; Lime; Phytochemical Screening; Turbidity; Suspended Solids
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Water Resource and Protection,
Vol.5 No.12,
December
25,
2013
ABSTRACT: This study was performed in laboratory scale and consisted of the
using of aqueous Opuntia dillenii solution for the clarification of very turbid surface water (Turbidities
varying between 186 NTU and 418 NTU). This plant from Cactaceae family was used as a natural coagulant for the different
clarification tests. The preliminary phytochemical Screening of the powder of this plant showed that it contains tanins,
saponins and mucilages. Flocculation and coagulation tests showed that Opuntia dillenii can be used in highly
turbid water treatment. The removal efficiency varied from 89% to 93% for the
turbidity and suspended solids, and from 4% to 15% for the obvious color in
water when we used the optimum values of this natural coagulant (1 mL to 10
mL). The successive addition of this natural coagulant and the lime, gave a
better elimination of turbidity and suspended solids, and a good reduction for
the color. The removal efficiency of the turbidity and suspended solids became
more than 95% and the one of the color between 67% and 94%.