An Integrated Electrocoagulation-Phytoremediation Process for the Treatment of Mixed Industrial Wastewater

• Published in: International journal of phytoremediation Vol. 12; no. 8; pp. 772 - 784
• Main Authors: Rodriguez, Claudia Teodora Cano, Amaya-Chavez, Araceli, Roa-Morales, Gabriela, Barrera-Diaz, Carlos Eduardo, Urena-Nunez, Fernando
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis Group 01-10-2010; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Aluminum; Aluminum - analysis; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biomass; Bioremediation; Chemical oxygen demand; Contaminants; Current density; Electrochemistry - methods; Electrocoagulation; Electrocoagulation - methods; Electrodes; Flowers & plants; Industrial wastes; Mexico; Morphology; Myriophyllum aquaticum; Nephelometry and Turbidimetry - methods; Organic chemicals; Oxygen demand; Oxytropis - growth & development; Oxytropis - metabolism; Phytoremediation; Scanning electron microscopy; Spectrophotometry; Spectroscopy; superfaradaic efficiencies; Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods; Waste treatment; Waste water; Wastewater treatment; Water treatment; Mexico
• ISSN: 1522-6514; 1549-7879
• DOI: 10.1080/15226510903390429

The elimination of organic contaminants in highly complex wastewater was tested using a combination of the techniques: electrocoagulation with aluminum electrodes and phytoremediation with Myriophyllum aquaticum. Under optimal operating conditions at a pH of 8 and a current density of 45.45 A m
−2
, the electrochemical method produces partial elimination of contaminants, which was improved using phytoremediation as a polishing technique. The combined treatment reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 91%, color by 97% and turbidity by 98%. Initial and final values of contaminants in wastewaters were monitored using UV-vis spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry. Finally, the morphology and the elemental composition of the biomass were characterized with using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS). The presence of Al in the roots of plants in the system indicates that the aluminum present in the test solution could be absorbed.