Project ACCESS: Adsorption of Coliforms Using Carbonized Husks in Treating E. coli Stream Sources

Abstract

In developing countries, good quality water is contaminated due to disposal of untreated municipal and industrial wastewater into natural water reservoirs. Most of the wastewater is not treated properly according to the International Standards, and usually disposed and/or utilized for irrigation without appropriate treatment. Meanwhile, E. coli (Escherichia coli) is one of the pollutants found in the said wastewater. Since corn husk is considered as the most plentiful and important agricultural waste that is mainly composed of lignocellulose that can adsorb water pollutant. This study deals with the low-cost filtration of wastewater with the use of activated carbon from corn (Zea mays) husks. Parallel-Group Design was used in the study to compare the two sample groups. In this design, the experimental groups are the filtrated wastewater that underwent to water potability testing using Eosin Methylene Blue Agar (EMBA), Brilliant Green Lactose Bile Broth (BGLBB) and Lauryl SulfateTryptase Broth (LSTB). The control group was the wastewater that did not receive any form of ministration but underwent to the power of hydrogen (pH), salinity and turbidity. The researcher compared the groups by means of comparing its water quality. This study used only water potability testing. The effectiveness of the process was manifested on the result of the water quality test after a week of comparing the presumptive and confirmatory results. Hypotheses which emphasize the efficiency of the activated carbon from corn husks as it adsorbs E. coli from stream sources were answered through the significance level manifested on the F-test result wherein F critical = F computed =. Experiments convey the rejection of the null hypothesis which refer to the failure analysis of E. coli detection. Findings were obtained with varying setups on two given trials. Specified amounts of the total coliform count were included with their corresponding Most Probable Number (MPN). It was proven that the activated carbon from corn husks can decrease the amount of total coliform count present in the wastewater. Project ACCESS (Adsorption of Coliforms using Carbonized husks treating E. coli Escherichia ColiformStream Sources) is the new cost-efficient and environmentally friendly alternative method in reducing pollutants on wastewater. Increasing pollution in-stream sources should end with the use of activated carbon from corn husks because it could further harm human health.