Biocoagulants as an Alternative for Water Treatment

Issues related to water quality are associated with environmental problems caused by humans and industrial growth. In view of all these problems caused by water pollution and shortages, there has been a constant concern to search for new alternatives to existing conventional methods. The coagulation process using natural coagulants is an interesting alternative for the treatment of both surface water and urban and industrial wastewater. The coagulating capacity of several materials has been evaluated, with biocoagulants of vegetable origin being the most studied. Aspects related to the application and production of biocoagulants, from Moringa oleifera, in the treatment of surface and wastewaters (urban and industrial) are analyzed. The use of mixtures of synthetic coagulants with biocoagulants as coadjuvants is reported in the literature. However, a less studied case, but of great interest, is the mixture between biocoagulants, presenting the case study of mixtures between Moringa oleifera and Caesalpinia spinosa. The effects of biocoagulant production process variables, such as the addition of sodium chloride and the drying temperature on turbidity removal, are evaluated. The technical, economic, and environmental challenges in the implementation of biocoagulants in water treatment are analyzed. Aspects related to use of values are highlighted to identify the potentialities of biocoagulant production.