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

Abstract

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.

KEY WORDS:

• Bioremediation
• Myriophyllum aquaticum
• superfaradaic efficiencies

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The CONACyT project No. 62000 has supported this research work. Claudia Cano Rodríguez gratefully acknowledges the scholarship from CONACyT to pursue her postgraduate studies.