Optimization of Efficiency Mercury (Hg) Removal with Electrocoagulation Using Zinc (Zn) Electrode by RSM Methods

Abstract

Good and optimal management of the Final Processing Site (TPA) can provide benefits to the community and the surrounding environment. One of the impacts of poor management of the landfill is that the decomposition of waste that occurs at the landfill will produce leachate which will potentially contaminate groundwater. Leachate from landfill can contaminate groundwater if it seeps into the ground and eventually into the groundwater. In one of the landfill’s in Medan City, namely Terjun landfill, it is known that the level of mercury (Hg) in leachate is 0.04012 which is categorized as exceeding the quality standard. Electrocoagulation is a promising treatment technology because it has the potential to remove organic matter and persistent pollutants in landfill leachate. The electrocoagulation process was carried out with variations of the electrocoagulation time used, namely 10, 20, and 30 minutes using zinc electrodes. As well as other variations used, namely the electrode spacing of 1 cm, 2 cm and 3 cm and the voltage of 8 volts, 10 volts and 12 volts. The results showed that the optimal variation was obtained at a distance of 2 cm, 30 minutes, and 12 volts with a mercury reduction efficiency of 98.108%.