Bio-Purification of River Kaduna Water Using Moringa Oleifera Seed Powder

Abstract

The study was designed to investigate the effect of Moringa Oleifera seed powder in purifying raw water. Water samples were collected in plastic bottles on monthly basis, for six months in the dry and wet season along the Southern axis of river Kaduna (Kakuri). Physicochemical parameters of the water such as Turbidity, DO/BOD, Hardness, pH and Electrical Conductivity were carried out using Standard Methods. Heavy metals of the water such as Copper, Arsenic, Chromium and Lead were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The effect of various concentrations of the seed powder on physicochemical parameters and heavy metals of the water were determined using jar test in the dry and wet seasons. The result of the physicochemical parameters such as turbidity (278.00±38.62 FAU), BOD (204.73±111.63 mg/L), E.C (2195±107.39 μmhos/cm) in the wet season indicated a high level of pollution in the water while in the dry season, low levels of turbidity (35.00±6.43FAU), BOD (0.53±0.13mg/L), and E.C (89.33±14.73μmhos/cm) showed a low level of pollution. The pH of the water in both seasons was neutral (7.07±0.64 and 7.94±0.59) and within the WHO limits of 6.5-8.5. The result of heavy metals in the dry season; Cu (0.015±0.001), As (0.793±0.001) and wet season, Cr (0.019±0.001) and Pb (0.084±0.001). The result obtained revealed that the extract has high potential to reduce turbidity, improve low DO’s, reduce high BOD’s in the water, with high antimicrobial properties that can be used in reducing bacteria load.