Removal of coliforms from waste water using biochar

Abstract

Wastewater contains coliforms and many pathogens that are harmful to the humans and other living organisms. Various agroindustry by-products such as peanut shell, corncob, wheat husk, bagasse, sawdust, rice straw, etc. are generated in huge amount. These agroindustry by-products are just thrown or get piled up. Hence, they can be used for the environmental clean-up purposes that will helpful globally. These can be used for the removal of coliforms from wastewater due to their adsorption capacity. The study here reports the use of bagasse in removal of coliforms from wastewater by most probable number method. About 72 and 78 % removal of coliforms was observed in presumptive and confirmatory tests of most probable number respectively. This will help in the treatment of wastewater that is very essential. This use of bagasse based biochar technology for the removal of coliforms from wastewater is very ecofriendly and cheap.