Exploring Moringa oleifera: Green Solutions for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and Agricultural Advancement

Juan Carlos Gutierrez Herrera, Ciro Andrey Martínez Ovallos, Dayana Milena Agudelo-Castañeda and Carlos D. Paternina-Arboleda ()
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Juan Carlos Gutierrez Herrera: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Hydraulic and Environmental Studies, Universidad del Norte, Km 5 Vía Puerto Colombia, Barranquilla 081007, Colombia
Ciro Andrey Martínez Ovallos: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Hydraulic and Environmental Studies, Universidad del Norte, Km 5 Vía Puerto Colombia, Barranquilla 081007, Colombia
Dayana Milena Agudelo-Castañeda: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Hydraulic and Environmental Studies, Universidad del Norte, Km 5 Vía Puerto Colombia, Barranquilla 081007, Colombia
Carlos D. Paternina-Arboleda: Department of Management Information Systems, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92124, USA

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 21, 1-20

Abstract: Increasing concerns over water pollution have driven the search for sustainable wastewater treatment alternatives. This study evaluates the effectiveness of two coagulants derived from Moringa oleifera seeds–powder and extract–as sustainable solutions for wastewater reuse in agriculture. Comparative experiments were conducted using aluminum sulfate, a conventional coagulant, at various doses under controlled laboratory conditions. The results demonstrated that both M. oleifera -based coagulants were highly effective, achieving turbidity reductions of 97% and 99%, respectively. Notably, the powder form required lower doses than the extract but had longer sedimentation times. Further detailed analyses at optimized doses (500 mg/500 mL for powder and 12.5 mL/500 mL for extract) met international standards for wastewater quality in agricultural irrigation. Comprehensive analyses encompassing pH, turbidity, COD, BOD 5 , TSS, DO, conductivity, NO 2 − , NO 3 − , SO 4 2− , PO 4 3− , and fecal and total coliforms consistently adhered to stringent criteria, confirming the effectiveness of M. oleifera -derived coagulants. These findings highlight the potential of M. oleifera in wastewater treatment, offering sustainable solutions to environmental challenges and enhancing food security in resource-limited regions. Our research supports the broader adoption of these eco-friendly alternatives, which could significantly reduce water scarcity and promote sustainable agricultural practices, addressing critical environmental concerns.

Keywords: Moringa oleifera; natural coagulant; wastewater treatment; settling time; agricultural sustainability; water quality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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