PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM Leucaena leucocephala (RIVER TAMARIND) SEED POD FOR THE TREATMENT OF HOSPITAL WASTEWATER IN BARAU DIKKO TEACHING HOSPITAL, KADUNA STATE

Abstract

The management of hospital wastewater presents critical public health challenges due to its complex and hazardous composition. Conventional treatment methods often fall short in effectively removing persistent contaminants, while commercial adsorbents, though efficient, are frequently cost-prohibitive and not readily accessible in many local contexts. In response, recent research has focused on the utilization of low-cost, naturally occurring materials for the production of activated carbon as an alternative adsorbent. This study investigates the potential of activated carbon derived from Leucaena leucocephala (river tamarind) seed pods for the treatment of hospital wastewater obtained from Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital (BDTH), Kaduna State, Nigeria. The seed pods, an abundant and underutilized agricultural waste in Nigeria, were chemically activated using phosphoric acid (H?PO?) at 450 °C for 1 hour. The resulting activated carbon exhibited a yield of 40%, with moisture and ash contents of 1.12% and 1.53%, respectively. Functional group characterization was conducted using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), while heavy metal concentrations in the wastewater were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and a multiparameter photometer with chemical oxygen demand (COD) capability. Proximate analysis of the wastewater revealed the presence of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu). The activated carbon demonstrated substantial adsorption capacity, achieving removal efficiencies of 47.98% for Zn, 93.50% for Fe, 66.67% for Cr, and 92.81% for Cu. Optimization studies indicated that the most effective adsorption occurred at a dosage of 0.10 g and a contact time of 60 minutes. These findings highlight the efficacy of Leucaena leucocephala pod-derived activated carbon as a sustainable, low-cost adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals from hospital wastewater, offering a promising approach for resource-limited settings.