Sustainable Groundwater Purification: Leveraging Local Materials for Lead, Iron, and Cyanide Removal in Ghanaian Mining Communities
Samira Esinam Elsie Aggor Woananu
World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence in Oilfield Chemicals Research, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria and Department of Laboratory Technology, School of Physical Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
Ogbonna Friday Joel
World Bank Africa Centre of Excellence in Oilfield Chemicals Research, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Ify L. Nwaogazie *
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Moringa Oleifera seeds and banana peels as natural coagulants for the removal of lead, iron, and cyanide from groundwater in mining-affected communities in Ghana. Experimental laboratory analysis was used to analyze groundwater samples collected from five mining communities in the Atwima-Kwanwoma and Obuasi East districts of the Ashanti Region, Ghana, and treated with Moringa oleifera seeds and banana peels as natural coagulants. The concentrations of E. coli, cyanide, lead, and iron were measured before and after treatment. The study found a 100% removal efficiency for E. coli, cyanide, lead, and iron after treatment with Moringa oleifera seeds and banana peels. These results align with previous studies indicating the efficacy of these natural coagulants in water purification as the Moringa oleifera seeds and banana peels are effective, low-cost natural coagulants for removing contaminants from groundwater in mining communities.
Keywords: Natural coagulants, Moringa oleifera, banana peels, groundwater remediation, heavy metal removal, cyanide removal