Phosphate Removal from Wastewater in Batch System Using Waste Mussel Shell

High input of phosphate (PO43-) in rivers can lead to eutrophication, which jeopardizes aquatic life and human health. In this study, PO43- was removed from synthetic solution and domestic wastewater treatment plant effluent (DWTPE) by waste mussel shell (WMS). The PO43- adsorption by WMS was examined for the initial PO43- concentration (7 mg L-1), solution volume (0.2 L), adsorbent dosage (4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 g), and contact time (1-6 d). The batch experiment's optimum performance could reach approximately 75.1% for the removal of PO43- from synthetic solution and approximately 66.2% for the removal of PO43- from DWTPE after a contact time of 5 d. This work suggests that the WMS can remove PO43 from both synthetic solution and DWTPE. Future works are necessary to increase WMS's capacity to adsorb PO43- from waters, either by physical or chemical modification.