Heliyon (Feb 2025)
Efficient removal of lead (II) from paint factory wastewater using Noug stalk activated carbon: A sustainable adsorption approach
Abstract
Industries are among the largest global consumers of water, with a significant portion being converted into industrial wastewater. Paint factories, in particular, are major contributors to environmental lead pollution, releasing lead (II) through untreated effluents. Exposure to lead (II) poses serious health risks, including carcinogenic effects, neurological disorders, blood-related complications, and damage to vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, and lungs. While extensive research has focused on lead (II) removal from synthetic wastewater, limited studies have addressed the application of these methods to real industrial wastewater. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of Noug stalk activated carbon in removing lead (II) from paint factory effluent under optimized conditions. Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the performance of Noug stalk activated carbon in treating wastewater from a paint factory. Statistical analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 was employed, with a paired sample t-test determining the significance of differences in lead (II) concentrations before and after treatment, considering a p-value of <0.05 as statistically significant. The paint factory wastewater sample exhibited a pH of 6.62, temperature of 20.40 °C, chemical oxygen demand of 1717 mg/L, total suspended solids of 710 mg/L, total dissolved solids of 1231 mg/L, and a lead (II) concentration of 23.54 mg/L. Results demonstrated a lead (II) removal efficiency of 94.84 %, with a significant reduction in lead (II) concentration post-treatment (t = 157.62, p < 0.001). These findings highlight the potential of Noug stalk activated carbon as an effective adsorbent for real industrial wastewater treatment. Further research is necessary to explore how the presence of other heavy metals may affect its performance and to investigate column adsorption techniques and regeneration processes after depletion.
