Development of novel and cost-effective adsorbents for wastewater remediation using the common dandelion
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Environmental Science
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Oral Presentation Award
2nd Place
Written Paper Award
1st Place
Abstract
Lead and methylene blue are two commonly released pollutants that pose serious health hazards if ingested. An inexpensive and renewable adsorbent is needed for replacing activated carbon as an effective means of removing such pollutants from wastewater. In this experiment, crushed dandelions were used to agitate aqueous solutions containing lead nitrate and methylene blue for the purpose of evaluating the extent at which they are capable of removing the pollutants from water. It was hypothesized that pollutant concentration would be inversely proportional to adsorbent dosage and agitation time for both lead and methylene blue. Experimentation was accomplished by mixing the processed dandelions with the solutions for 30 minute periods. All pollutant concentrations decreased drastically after 5 minutes of agitation. Final pollutant concentrations of methylene blue and lead after 30 minutes were shown to be significantly less than initial pollutant concentrations by two-sample t-tests for all dosages of both types of adsorbents; t(2)≥8.0905, p≤0.007. Such results provide hope and encouragement for further studies dedicated to the use of the common dandelion as a cheap and renewable alternative to activated carbon.
Recommended Citation
Siddique, Rakib A., "Development of novel and cost-effective adsorbents for wastewater remediation using the common dandelion" (2015). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 168.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2015/all/168
Start Date
4-11-2015 9:30 AM
End Date
4-11-2015 9:45 AM
Development of novel and cost-effective adsorbents for wastewater remediation using the common dandelion
Lead and methylene blue are two commonly released pollutants that pose serious health hazards if ingested. An inexpensive and renewable adsorbent is needed for replacing activated carbon as an effective means of removing such pollutants from wastewater. In this experiment, crushed dandelions were used to agitate aqueous solutions containing lead nitrate and methylene blue for the purpose of evaluating the extent at which they are capable of removing the pollutants from water. It was hypothesized that pollutant concentration would be inversely proportional to adsorbent dosage and agitation time for both lead and methylene blue. Experimentation was accomplished by mixing the processed dandelions with the solutions for 30 minute periods. All pollutant concentrations decreased drastically after 5 minutes of agitation. Final pollutant concentrations of methylene blue and lead after 30 minutes were shown to be significantly less than initial pollutant concentrations by two-sample t-tests for all dosages of both types of adsorbents; t(2)≥8.0905, p≤0.007. Such results provide hope and encouragement for further studies dedicated to the use of the common dandelion as a cheap and renewable alternative to activated carbon.
