Removing metals concentration in water and common carp using sheet type adsorbent reared in modified aquarium

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The increasing pollution of aquatic environments due to heavy metals has raised concerns over recent decades. Heavy metal contaminants in the aquaculture water of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) jeopardizes aquatic organisms and poses potential health risks to individuals who consume these fish. Zeolite is known for its potential to adsorb heavy metals in water, thereby reducing their accumulation in fish. The current study explored how a zeolite-embedded sheet influences the concentrations of copper and lead in water and common carp. The goal is to present a comprehensive analysis of the influence of the zeolite-embedded sheet on heavy metal levels in both the aquatic environment and the common carp cultivated in modified glass aquariums.METHODS: This study involved the fabrication and characterization of zeolite-embedded sheets, aquarium modification, fish acclimatization, preparation and dosing of test solutions, adsorption experiments, and the measurement of heavy metal levels in water and fish samples. A range of metal concentrations was assessed in aquariums equipped with zeolite-embedded sheets compared to those without. The aquarium configuration was optimized to improve the process of metal extraction.FINDINGS: The fabrication of the sheet adsorbent has been successfully accomplished, showing properties that are in agreement with prior studies. Heavy metal levels in both water and carp were higher in the control group (without zeolite-embedded sheets) than in the treatment group (with zeolite-embedded sheets). Copper removal in water ranged from 49.12 to 55.56 percent, while removal in carp ranged from 8.08 to 52.33 percent. Lead removal was higher, with rates of 50.8 to 91.78 percent in water and 82.03 to 88.07 percent in carp. Key water quality indicators, including temperature, potential of hydrogen, and levels of dissolved oxygen, were maintained within the optimal thresholds necessary for successful fish farming. A two-way analysis of variance showed that while the combination of dose and adsorbent did not significantly impact metal content. In contrast, the adsorbent alone exhibited a notable impact, particularly on lead levels in both water and carp, along with copper levels in water.CONCLUSION: Sheet-type adsorbents effectively reduced metal levels in water and common carp. Although the metal concentrations utilized in this study were relatively low, the adsorbent showed remarkable sorption performance. Future studies should explore its application with higher metal concentrations and on a larger scale, such as in commercial carp cultivation.

Keywords

• adsorption
• copper
• cyprinus carpio
• lead
• zeolite