Optimization of Phytocoagulant for Treating Crude Oil-Contaminated Surface Water
Keywords:
Crude Oil Pollution, Phytocoagulation, Moringa oleifera, Surface Tension, Critical Micelle, ConcentrationAbstract
This study investigates the optimization of phytocoagulants for treating crude oil-contaminated surface water, focusing on the effects of extract concentration and temperature on total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal and reduction in surface tension. Five locally sourced ethanol extracts, Moringa oleifera, Ficus exasperata, Trichostema lanceolatum, Senna alata, and Cymbopogon citratus were screened for phytochemical components. Contaminated water samples were collected from the Wakama-Ama River and characterized and treated using standard jar tests to assess the reduction of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and surface tension at varying extract concentrations (0 – 500 mg/L) and temperatures (24 – 40°C). The results revealed a concentration-dependent reduction in both TPH and surface tension across all extracts. Moringa oleifera demonstrated the most efficient performance, reducing TPH from 3586.9 mg/l to 1650.1 mg/l at 450 mg/L, and lowering surface tension from 72.8 mN/m to 51.24 mN/m at just 150 mg/L, indicating a low optimal extract concentration. In contrast, Cymbopogon citratus was the least effective, achieving only 2643.7 mg/l TPH at 500 mg/L. Temperature variation also significantly influenced performance, with all extracts showing optimal removal at 34°C. At this temperature, Moringa oleifera further reduced TPH to 1450.75 mg/l and surface tension to 45.15 mN/m, outperforming all other extracts. These findings highlight the potential of phytochemical-rich extracts as eco-friendly, biodegradable, and cost-effective alternatives to synthetic coagulants. The study supports the adoption of Moringa oleifera and Ficus exasperata in scalable water treatment systems for oil-impacted environments.Downloads
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