Removal of total solids in water using natural coagulants: Flaxseed, Chia, and Psyllium seeds

Abstract

Natural coagulants have been successfully employed in water treatment, offering an alternative to chemical coagulants that are typically acidic salts, altering the pH of treated water, and incurring high costs. The effectiveness in removing total solids from raw water using natural coagulants derived from Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), Chia (Salvia hispánica), and Psyllium (Plantago psyllium) seeds was evaluated and compared with conventional chemical coagulants such as aluminium sulphate. Mucilage was obtained from each seed, and four different concentrations of each (25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg) were used in jar tests, with two different agitation times (20 and 15 minutes).

Based on the results of initial and final turbidity, the chia seed coagulant at a concentration of 75 mg and an agitation time of 15 minutes exhibited the highest percentage of 97.2% removal of suspended solids in water, while the chemical coagulant achieved 93.6% removal at a concentration of 25 mg. The efficiency of natural coagulants in removing total solids from water can be as effective as conventional chemical coagulants.