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ABSTRACT
A few traditional plant flocculants such as those found in Moringa seeds have been observed to act as coagulants and have been recommended for domestic water treatment in rural areas of Africa and Asia where people cannot afford conventional coagulants. Crushed seeds of the tree Moringa oleifera are a viable replacement coagulant for proprietary chemicals such as aluminium sulphate (alum) in developing countries. The tree is a multi -provider that grows in many countries.

The high cost of treated water makes most people in the rural communities to resort to readily available water sources which are normally of low quality exposing them to waterborne diseases. Various studies have been carried out to confirm the effectiveness of seed powder extracted from mature-dried Moringa oleifera seeds which are commonly available in most rural communities.

Application of low cost Moringa oleifera seeds is recommended for eco-friendly, nontoxic, simplified water treatment where rural and peri-urban people living in extreme poverty.

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1. INTRODUCTION
Water quality depends on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics. Natural water contains impurities such as suspended and dissolved substances which can be from organic or inorganic sources. These impurities include: clay, minerals, bacteria, inert solids, microbiological organisms, oxidized metals, organic colour producing particles and other suspended materials
.

Water for domestic use including drinking must not contain disease substances. The quality

desired for drinking water usually needs treatment to bring it up to the desired state. Certain processes are used to purify raw water to make it suitable for water supply. The process of water treatment involves four basic steps which include: aeration of dirty water with oxygen to remove iron III, sedimentation and coagulation, filtration with carbon slurry to remove solid particles and odour and disinfection with chlorine. In this research work, the coagulation process was our main focus. Coagulation of water involves the use of coagulating agents (either from chemical or biological sources) to bring the suspended matter in the raw water together for the purpose of settling and for the preparation for the filtration stage. In Nigeria, like in other developing countries, portable water for drinking and domestic uses constitutes a serious problem. According to UNICEF and WHO, over 70% sources of Nigerian drinking water are on high-risk categories and less than 5% had the required chlorine content. Poorly processed water leads to water-borne diseases. Over 80% of all illnesses in the developing countries are water-related ones (e.g. cholera, dysentery and diarrhea), and about 75% of the world population are living in the developing countries.

Presently there are no appropriate low-cost technologies available for removal of several commonly present groundwater contaminants. Fluoride is one such compound that is widely present in groundwater worldwide. Exposure to fluoride in drinking water has a number of adverse effects on human health including crippling skeletal fluorosis that is a significant cause of morbidity in a number of regions of the world. Ground water is polluted due to industrial effluents and municipal waste in water bodies. In rural and undeveloped countries people living in extreme poverty are presently drinking highly turbid and microbiologically contaminated water. Because they lack knowledge of proper drinking water treatment and they cannot afford costly chemical coagulants. To overcome chemical coagulant problems it is necessary to increase the use of natural coagulants for drinking water treatment. Naturally occurring coagulants are
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usually presumed safe for human health. Some studies on natural coagulants have been carried out and various natural coagulants were produced or extracted from microorganisms, animals or plants. One of these alternatives is Moringa oleifera seeds.

1.1 MORINGA OLEIFERA:

FIG 1(moringa oleifera seeds) ABOUT: Moringa oleifera Lam belongs to an one-generic family of shrubs and tree, Moringa is considered to have its origin in Agra. The northwest region of India, south of Himalayan mountains. Although the name "Shigon" for M. oleifera is mentioned in the "Shushruta Sanhita" which was written in the beginning of the first century A.D., there is evidence that the cultivation of this tree in India dates back many thousand years. The Indian knew that the seeds contain edible oil and they used them for medicinal purposes. It is probable that the common people also knew of its value as a fodder or vegetable. This tree can be found growing naturally at elevations of up to 1000 m above sea level. It can grow well on hillsides but is more frequently found growing on pastureland or in river basins. It is a fast growing tree and has been found to grow to 6-7 m in one year in areas receiving less than 400 mm mean annual rainfall. In the Dravidian
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language, there are many local names for this tree but all are derived from the generic root "Morunga". In English it is commonly known as Horse radish, Drumstick tree, Never Die tree, West Indian Ben tree, and Radish tree. Moringa oleifera was originally an ornamental tree in the Sudan, planted during British rule in the alleys along the Nile, public parks, and the gardens of foreigners. . Moringaceae is a single-genus family with 14 known species thus far, which are indigenous to Africa (9), Madagascar (2), Arabia (1), and India (2). Half of them are relatively common and already sporadically cultivated, yetonly Moringa oleifera (horse radish or drum stick tree) because of its many uses is planted in the whole tropical belt.

1.2 Uses of Tree:

FIG 2(moringa oleifera tree) It is multipurpose tree for semi-arid and drought prone areas. Even though it is a non nitrogen fixing tree, its different parts can be useful for other purposes. Pods, leaves and seeds can be eaten as vegetable and are highly nutritious.

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The extracted oil from the seeds is used for cooking, 23soap making, cosmetics, fuels and lamps. Wood pulp may be used for paper making. The wood is light and can't be used for heavy constructions but it provides a fairly good fuel for cooking. The leaves can be also used as fertilizer. Powered seeds are used to heal bacterial skin infection.

FIG 3(moringa seeds with outer coat)

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2. WATER PRURIFICATION PROCESS

FIG 4(WATER TREATMENT SCHEME) Water purification is the process of removing undesirable chemicals, biological contaminants, suspended solids and gases from contaminated water. The goal is to produce water fit for a specific purpose. Most water is purified for human consumption (drinking water), but water purification may also be designed for a variety of other purposes, including meeting the requirements of medical, pharmacological, chemical and industrial applications. In general the methods used include physical processes such as filtration, sedimentation, and distillation, biological processes such as slow sand filters or biologically active carbon, chemical processes such as flocculation and chlorination and the use of electromagnetic radiation such as ultraviolet light. The purification process of water may reduce the concentration of particulate matter including suspended particles, parasites, bacteria, algae, viruses, fungi; and a range of dissolved and particulate material derived from the surfaces that water may have made contact with after falling as rain. The standards for drinking water quality are typically set by governments or by international standards. These standards will typically set minimum and maximum concentrations of contaminants for the use that is to be made of the water.
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It is not possible to tell whether water is of an appropriate quality by visual examination. Simple procedures such as boiling or the use of a household activated carbon filter are not sufficient for treating all the possible contaminants that may be present in water from an unknown source. Even natural spring water considered safe for all practical purposes in the 19th century must now be tested before determining what kind of treatment, if any, is

needed. Chemical and microbiological analysis, while expensive, are the only way to obtain the information necessary for deciding on the appropriate method of purification.

2.1 SOURCES OF WATER

1. Groundwater: The water emerging from some deep ground water may have fallen as rain many tons, hundreds, or thousands of years ago. Soil and rock layers naturally filter the ground water to a high degree of clarity and often it does not require additional treatment other than adding chlorine or chloramines as secondary disinfectants. Such water may emerge as springs, artesian springs, or may be extracted from boreholes or wells. Deep ground water is generally of very high bacteriological quality (i.e., pathogenic bacteria or the pathogenic protozoa are typically absent), but the water may be rich in dissolved solids, especially carbonates and sulfates of calcium and magnesium. Depending on the strata through which the water has flowed, other ions may also be present including chloride, and bicarbonate. There may be a requirement to reduce

the iron or manganese content of this water to make it acceptable for drinking, cooking, and laundry use. Primary disinfection may also be required. Where groundwater recharge is practiced (a process in which river water is injected into an aquifer to store the water in times of plenty so that it is available in times of drought), the groundwater may require additional treatment depending on applicable state and federal regulations.

2. Upland lakes and reservoirs: Typically located in the headwaters of river systems, upland reservoirs are usually sited above any human habitation and may be surrounded by a protective zone to restrict the opportunities for contamination. Bacteria and pathogen levels are usually low, but some bacteria, protozoa or algae will be present. Where

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uplands are forested or peaty, humic acids can colour the water. Many upland sources have low pH which requires adjustment. 3. Rivers, canals and low land reservoirs: Low land surface waters will have a significant bacterial load and may also contain algae, suspended solids and a variety of dissolved constituents. 4. Atmospheric water generation is a new technology that can provide high quality drinking water by extracting water from the air by cooling the air and thus condensing water vapor. 5. Rainwater harvesting or fog collection which collects water from the atmosphere can be used especially in areas with significant dry seasons and in areas which experience fog even when there is little rain.

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3. TREATMENT OF WATER
The processes below are the ones commonly used in water purification plants. Some or most may not be used depending on the scale of the plant and quality of the raw (source) water.

3.1 SEDIMENTATION
The clarification of water by the process of sedimentation can be effected by providing conditions under which the suspended particles presenting water can settle out. Storage reservoirs may also serve as sedimentation basins. Most of the suspended particles /impurities in water do have a specific gravity greater than that of water. in still water ,these impurities will, therefore ,tend to settle down under gravity ,although in normal raw supplies ,they remain in suspension ,because of the turbulence in water.hence,as soon as the turbulence is retarded by offering storage to the water ,these impurities tend to settle down at the bottom of the tank ,offering such storage .this is the principle behind sedimentation.

FIG 5(SEDIMENTATION TANK)

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3.2 COAGULATION AND FLOCCULATION

One of the first steps in a conventional water purification process is the addition of chemicals to assist in the removal of particles suspended in water. Particles can be inorganic such as clay and silt or organic such as algae, bacteria, viruses, protozoa and natural organic matter. Inorganic and organic particles contribute to the turbidity and color of water. The addition of inorganic coagulants such as aluminum sulfate (or alum) or iron (III) salts such as iron (III) chloride cause several simultaneous chemical and physical interactions on and among the particles. Within seconds, negative charges on the particles are neutralized by inorganic coagulants. Also within seconds, metal hydroxide precipitates of the aluminum and iron (III) ions begin to form. These precipitates combine into larger particles under natural processes such as Brownian motion and through induced mixing which is sometimes referred to as flocculation. The term most often used for the amorphous metal hydroxides is floc. Large, amorphous aluminum and iron (III) hydroxides adsorb and enmesh particles in suspension and facilitate the removal of particles by subsequent processes of sedimentation and filtration.

3.3 FILTRATION
After separating most floc, the water is filtered as the final step to remove remaining suspended particles and unsettled floc. The most common type of filter is a rapid sand filter.

FIG 6(FILTER)

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3.4 DISINFECTION
Disinfection is accomplished both by filtering out harmful micro-organisms and also by adding disinfectant chemicals. Water is disinfected to kill any pathogens which pass through the filters and to provide a residual dose of disinfectant to kill or inactivate potentially harmful microorganisms in the storage and distribution systems. Possible pathogens include viruses, bacteria, including Salmonella, Cholera, Campylobacter and Shigella, andprotozoa, including Giardia

lamblia and other cryptosporidia. Following the introduction of any chemical disinfecting agent, the water is usually held in temporary storage often called a contact tank or clear well to allow the disinfecting action to complete.

3.4.1 CHLORINE DISINFECTION

The most common disinfection method involves some form of chlorine or its compounds such as chloramine or chlorine dioxide. Chlorine is a strong oxidant that rapidly kills many harmful micro-organisms. Because chlorine is a toxic gas, there is a danger of a release associated with its use. This problem is avoided by the use of sodium hypochlorite, which is a relatively inexpensive solution that releases free chlorine when dissolved in water. Chlorine solutions can be generated on site by electrolyzing common salt solutions. A solid form, calcium hypochlorite, releases chlorine on contact with water. Handling the solid, however, requires greater routine human contact through opening bags and pouring than the use of gas cylinders or bleach which are more easily automated. The generation of liquid sodium hypochlorite is both inexpensive

and safer than the use of gas or solid chlorine. 4. OTHER PURIFICATION TECHNIQUES
Other popular methods for purifying water, especially for local private supplies are listed below. In some countries some of these methods are also used for large scale municipal supplies. Particularly important are distillation (de-salination of seawater) and reverse osmosis. 4.1 Boiling: Water is heated hot enough and long enough to inactivate or kill microorganisms that normally live in water at room temperature.
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4.2 Granular Activated Carbon filtering: a form of activated carbon with a high surface area adsorbs many compounds including many toxic compounds. Water passing through activated carbon is commonly used in municipal regions with organic contamination, taste or odors. Many household water filters and fish tanks use activated carbon filters to further purify the water. Household filters for drinking water sometimes contain silver as metallic silver nano particle. If water is held in the carbon block for longer period, microorganisms can grow inside which results in fouling and contamination. Silver nano particles are excellent antibacterial material and they can decompose toxic halo-organic compounds such as pesticides into non-toxic organic products. 4.3 Distillation involves boiling the water to produce water vapour. The vapour contacts a cool surface where it condenses as a liquid. Because the solutes are not normally vaporised, they remain in the boiling solution. Even distillation does not completely purify water, because of contaminants with similar boiling points and droplets of unvapourised liquid carried with the steam. However, 99.9% pure water can be obtained by distillation. 4.4 Reverse osmosis: Mechanical pressure is applied to an impure solution to force pure water through a semi-permeable membrane. Reverse osmosis is theoretically the most thorough method of large scale water purification available, although perfect semi-permeable membranes are difficult to create. Unless membranes are well-maintained, algae and other life forms can colonize the membranes. 4.5 The use of iron in removing arsenic from water. See Arsenic contamination of groundwater. 4.6 Direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD). Applicable to desalination. Heated seawater is passed along the surface of a hydrophobic polymer membrane. Evaporated water passes from the hot side through pores in the membrane into a stream of cold pure water on the other side. The difference in vapour pressure between the hot and cold side helps to push water molecules through. 4.7 Desalination - is a process by which saline water (generally sea water) is converted to fresh water. The most common desalination processes are distillation and reverse osmosis. Desalination is currently expensive compared to most alternative sources of water, and only a very small fraction of total human use is satisfied by desalination. It is only economically practical for high-valued uses (such as household and industrial uses) in arid areas.

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4.8 Gas hydrate crystals centrifuge method. If carbon dioxide or other low molecular weight gas is mixed with contaminated water at high pressure and low temperature, gas hydrate crystals will form exothermically. Separation of the crystalline hydrate may be performed by centrifuge or sedimentation and decanting. Water can be released from the hydrate crystals by heating 4.9 In Situ Chemical Oxidation, a form of advanced oxidation processes and advanced oxidation technology is an environmental remediation technique used for soil and/or groundwater remediation to reduce the concentrations of targeted environmental contaminants to acceptable levels. ISCO is accomplished by injecting or otherwise introducing strong chemical oxidizers directly into the contaminated medium (soil or groundwater) to destroy chemical contaminants in place. It can be used to remediate a variety of organic compounds, including some that are resistant to natural degradation. 4.01Water Purification with Moringa Seeds - Crushed Moringa seeds clarify and purify water to suit domestic use and lower the bacterial concentration in the water making it safe for drinking. Moringa seed powder can be used as a quick and simple method for cleaning dirty river water. Studies showed that this simple method of filtering not only diminishes water pollution, but also harmful bacteria. The moringa powder joins with the solids in the water and sinks to the bottom. This treatment also removes 90-99% of bacteria contained in water.

FIG7 (REVERSE OSMOSIS) FIG8 (BOILING)

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5. COAGULATION WITH MORINGA SEEDS

Moringa seeds contain between 30-42 % oil and press cake obtained as a by-product of the oil extraction process contains a very high level of protein. Some of these proteins (approximately 1%) are active cationic polyelectrolyte having molecular weights between 7-17 K Dalton. This protein can therefore be used as a non-toxic natural polypeptide for purification of drinking water. It thus works as primary coagulant as natural bridges are continuously formed between the colloid particles. In contrast, industrial coagulants such as alum can be toxic. Their proper use requires qualified personnel and the majority of underdeveloped countries don't have the means of producing them. In addition, these industrial coagulants are expensive and represent a considerable drain on the hard currency reserves of the developing countries.

Generally, coagulants like alum,poly-aluminium chloride are used for purification of turbid raw waters. A very high turbidity cannot be removed from water by using filters. Coagulants have to be applied to transform water constituents into forms that can be separated out physically. As an alternative to conventional coagulants, Moringa oleifera seeds can be used as a natural coagulant in house hold water treatment as well as in the community water treatment systems.

Natural coagulant properties were found in 6 different Moringa species by laboratory studies. The seed kernels of Moringa oleifera contain significant quantities of low molecular weight (water soluble proteins) which carry a positive charge. When crushed seeds are added to raw water, the proteins produce positive charges acting like magnets and attracting the predominantly negatively charged particles (such as clay, silt, bacteria, and other toxic particles in water).

The flocculation process occurs when the proteins bind the negative charges forming floc through the aggregation of particles, which are present in water. These floes are easy to remove by settling or filtration. The material can clarify not only highly turbid muddy water but also water oflow and medium turbidity. The level of turbidity influences the required time for flocculation. As with all coagulants, the effectiveness of the seeds may vary from one raw water to another.

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The practical application of dosing solutions is exactly the same as for all coagulants. Studies have been carried out to determine the potential risks associated with the use of Moring a seeds in water treatment. To date no evidence has found that the seeds cause secondary effects in humans, especially at the low doses required for water treatment.

5.1METHOD AND MATERIALS

5.1.1Coagulant solution preparation:

Seed solutions may be prepared from either seed kernels or the solid residue (press cake) obtained following the extraction of seed oil.

5.1.2Shelled whole seed

1. Seed pods are allowed to mature and dry naturally to a brown color on the tree. 2. The seeds are removed from the harvested pods and shelled. 3. The seed kernels are crushed in mixer and sieved (0.8 mm mesh or similar). 4. The finely crushed seed powder is mixed with clean water to form a paste, and then diluted to the required strength. Dosing solutions can be prepared from 0.5 to 5 % concentrations. 5. In soluble material is filtered out using either mesh screen or muslin cloth. 6. The solution is ready for use.

5.1.3 Coagulant dose requirement:

As for all coagulants, the amount of seed required will vary depending on the raw water source and on the raw water quality. One advantage of seed use is that, in general, there is wide dose range over which effective treatment can be achieved and maintained.

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TABLE 1(Dose requirement as a function of raw water turbidity)

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6.

MINDBOGGLING

USEFUL:

LOW-COST

WATER

TREATMENT IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD USING MORINGA OLEIFERA SEEDS

FIG 9(MORINGA OLEIFERA SEEDS) Around a billion people in parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America rely on untreated surface water sources for their daily potable water needs. Of these, some 2 million are reckoned to die from waterborne diseases every year, with the majority of deaths being those of children under 5 years of age. This works out to something like 250 deaths an hour, which in population terms is like losing a large town every month or one Mexico City every decade. To help combat this appalling toll of avoidable mortality, Michael Lea of Safe Water International - an organization that researches and implements low-cost water purification technologies has outlined a procedure that can reduce levels of harmful bacteria in water by between 90-99%, as well as reducing cloudiness, making the resulting drink both microbiologically and aesthetically more acceptable for human consumption.

Water purification methods using seeds from the Moringa tree have been known about for centuries, but their use has been limited geographically. Cultivation of this tree as a food source is now increasingamazingly the tree grows well in those regions where it can be most useful.

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But not enough people know how the crushed seed powder can help them clean their water and thereby avoid disease. It is Leas hope that having these protocols freely available online from a trustworthy source will be a massive aid in boosting in their distribution to where they are needed, by community leaders, health and educational programs.

FIG10 (WATER SAMPLES BEFORE AND AFTER TREATMENT)

The Moringas usefulness doesnt end with the provision of cleaner water and foodincredible though that might seemit can even bring small economic benefits and other health benefits: it is a protocol for purification that can be used for extracting a multi-purpose vegetable oil from the seeds (in a process that leaves a presscake that can cleanse water just as effectively as the powder).

An advantage of this technique is that that any oil that is not needed for home cooking, lighting or mosquito repellent can then be sold, as can any of the surplus seed powder

Michael Lea is at pains to stress that the use of these techniques will not be a panacea against waterborne disease. However, given that increasing the use of the Moringa tree would bring benefits in the shape of nutrition and income, as well as of purer water, there is the possibility
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that thousands of contemporary families could find themselves largely liberated from what should really be considered 19th century causes of death or debilitating disease. The idea that such changeeven if it is not all-encompassingmight come by using the by-products of just one (almost implausibly useful) tree is something that should truly be classed as mindbloggling.

FIG 11

FIG 12

FIG 13

(MORINGA OLEIFERA PALNT)

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7. TESTS DONE ON THE WATER SAMPLE TAKEN FROM PANCHGANGA RIVER.

The following drinking water quality parameters were analyzed before and after the treatment of various doses of Moringa oleifera seed powder.

FIG 14(PANCHGANGA RIVER)

TABLE 2 Physico-chemical characters of river water before and after treatment with various doses of M.oleifera seed powder

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GRAPH 1

GRAPH 2

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GRAPH 3

GRAPH 4

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GRAPH 5

GRAPH 6
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GRAPH 7

GRAPH 8

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Colour: The initial brown colour of the river water sample was completely removed after the treatment of M. oleifera seed powder. This suggests that the M. oleifera seeds show absorbent properties. Good clarification is obtained if a small cloth bag filled with the powdered seeds of the moringa is swirled round in the turbid water

pH: During the present study, treatment of Moringa oleifera seed powder was given to river water in different doses. During the analysis, it was observed that after treatment with Moringa seed powder; pH was decreased at 50 and 100 mg/l dose, but at 150 mg/l dose, it was partially increased. After treatment the range of pH was 7 -7.5 and it is within the limit. The recommended acceptable range of pH for drinking water specified by WHO (2006) is between 6.0 and 8.0.

The treatments gave a pH range of 7 to 7.5 which falls within the reducing trends as the concentrations of the dosing solutions were increased. The pH increases with increasing concentrations of the Moringa seed powder as a coagulant. It was reported that the action of M. oleifera as a coagulant lies in the presence of water soluble cationic proteins in the seeds. This suggests that in water, the basic amino acids present in the protein of Moringa seed powder would accept a proton from water resulting in the release of a hydroxyl group making the solution basic .

Turbidity: It was observed that the initial turbidity was 15.4 NTU in the river water sample which was beyond the limit as per WHO standards in surface water . In the present study it was observed that the use of Moringa oleifera seed powder showed decreased turbidity with increased dose from 50, 100 and 150 mg/l respectively. Residual turbidity reduces below 5 NTU.

Due to this there was an improvement in the flock size and flock was settled rapidly. The
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overdosing resulted in the saturation of the polymer bridge sites and caused destabilization of the destabilized particles due to insufficient number of particles to form more inter-particle bridges. The high positive charge and small size suggest that the main destabilization mechanism may could be adsorption and charge neutralization. M. oleifera seed powder removed 90-99% of turbidity in the treated water .

Acidity: Acidity during the present study was observed to be 35 mg/l for the river water sample. At various doses of M. oleifera, it was observed that the acidity decreased and was present in the range of 5-20 mg/l within the limits of WHO standards . As the seeds of M. oleifera contain lower molecular weight water-soluble proteins which carry a positive charge. When the seeds were crushed and added to water, the protein produces positive charges acting like magnets and attracting predominately negatively charged particles leading to maintain acidity within range.

Alkalinity: Alkalinity during the present study was observed to be 104 mg/l. At various doses of Moringa oleifera seed powder, it was observed that the alkalinity reduced after the treatment at 50 mg/l dose but at higher doses i.e. 100 and 150 mg/l, the alkalinity was increased. The alkalinity observed was in the range of 95-100 mg/l which was within the limit.

The slight decrease in alkalinity and pH of all water samples may be due to precipitation of insoluble products of the reaction between the Moringa oleifera and the hardness causing ions similar to precipitation softening using lime/soda ash. The Moringa oleifera seed extract appears to have natural buffering capacity. The precipitates (solids / flocks) were light and did not settle easily. The chemical constituent of the precipitate is however not known, but it was found that alkalinity reduction in the coagulation of water sources using Moringa oleifera seeds.

Chloride: Chlorides initially were 17 mg/l in the river water sample, but often treatment with
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Moringa seed reduced it three fold. It is because cations from Moringa seed attract the negatively charged chloride ions present in water and neutralize the chlorides. Chloride range was 5-9 mg/l in water samples and is within limits of drinking water standards.

Hardness: Hardness ranges from 100-170 mg/l after treatment which is within the limits of WHO standards. As a polyelectrolyte it may therefore be postulated that Moringa oleifera removes hardness in water through adsorption and inter-particle bridging . According to Muyibi and Evison, 1994, as a polyelectrolyte Moringa seed powder removes hardness in water through adsorption and interparticle bridging. Secondly, with the observation that light and slow-settling solids/flocks were formed, precipitation reaction leads to the conversion of soluble hardness-causing ions to insoluble compounds would also be a good prediction of the reaction mechanism.

The higher value for the surface water samples is due to the fact that they contain hardness due to calcium, magnesium and other hardness causing substances. This implies that as the number of hardness increases, the required dosage of Moringa oleifera seed powder increases.

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8. Use of Moringa Oleifera (Drumstick) seed as Natural Absorbent and an Antimicrobial agent for Ground water Treatment

For ground water in open well, following drinking water quality parameters were analyzed after the treatment of various doses of Moringa oleifera seed powder.

TABLE 3 (Parameters studied before and after treatment of Ground water with various doses of M. oleifera seed powder)

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GRAPH 9

GRAPH 10
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GRAPH 11

GRAPH 12

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GRAPH 13

GRAPH 14
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GRAPH 15

GRAPH 16

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pH:
Present study, treatment of Moringa oleifera seed powder was given to ground water samples in different doses. During the analysis, it was observed that after treatment with Moringa seed powder; pH was decreased at 50 and 100 dose, but it was partially increased at 150 mg/l dose, pH was. After treatment the range of pH was 7 -7.5 and within the limit. The recommended acceptable range of pH for drinking water specified by WHO is between 6.0 and 8.0. The treatments gave a pH range of 7 to 7.5 which falls within the reducing trends as the concentrations of the dosing solutions were increased. The reverse was observed with the Moringa treatment.

The pH increases with increasing concentrations of the Moringa as coagulant. It was reported that the action of M. oleifera as a coagulant lies in the presence of water soluble cationic proteins in the seeds. This suggests that in water, the basic amino acids present in the protein of Moringa would accept a proton from water resulting in the release of a hydroxyl group making the solution basic11.

Turbidity:
The initial Turbidity observed was 12.4 NTU in ground water which was beyond the limits of WHO standards. It was observed that the use of Moringa oleifera seed powder Showed decrease in turbidity of ground water with increased dose at 50, 100 and 150 mg/l respectively. Residual turbidity reduces below 5 NTU. Due to this there was an improvement in the flock size and flock settled rapidly.

The overdosing resulted in the saturation of the polymer bridge sites and caused restabilization of the destabilized particles due to insufficient number of particles to form more inter-particle bridges. The high positive charge and small size suggest that the main destabilization mechanism may could be adsorption and charge neutralization. This was also reported by Madsen et.al 6, 1987 and found that 90-99% of turbidity was removed by using Moringa seed Powder.

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Total solids and Total dissolved solids:

The initial TS was in range of 700-800 mg/l for ground water which was beyond the limits of WHO. In case of TDS, initial range was 600-700 mg/l above permissible limit. After the treatment M. oleifera seed powder, the total solids and total dissolved solids were reduced from ground water. The range of total solids was found in Between 350-500 mg/l and for total dissolved solids range was 200-350 mg/l. These were present within the limit according to WHO standards.

Colour:
The initial brown colour of ground water was completely removed after treatment of M. oleifera seed powder. The M. oleifera seeds show absorbent properties. Good clarification is obtained if a small cloth bag filled with the powdered seeds of the Maringa is swirled round in the turbid water.

Acidity:
The Acidity observed was 50 mg/l for ground water. At various doses of M. oleifera, it was observed that the acidity decreased and found in the range of 5 -20 mg/l which is within the limit according WHO standards. Because the seeds of M.oleifera contain lower molecular weight water-soluble proteins which carry a positive charge. When the seeds we crashed and added to water, the protein produces positive charge acting like magnets and attracting predominately negatively charged particles.

Alkalinity:
Alkalinity during the present research work was observed to be 130mg/l for ground water. At various doses of Moringa oleifera seed powder, it was observed that the alkalinity reduced after the treatment at 50 mg/l dose. But at higher dose of 100 and 150 mg/l of Moringa seed, the alkalinity was slowly increased. The alkalinity was present in the range of 95 -100 mg/l which was within limits of WHO standards. The slight decrease in alkalinity and pH of all water samples may be due to precipitation of insoluble products of the reaction Between the Moringa oleifera and the hardness-causing ions similar to precipitation softening using lime/soda ash.
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The Moringa oleifera seed extract appears to have natural buffering capacity. The precipitates (solids / flocks) were light and did not settle easily. The chemical constituent of the precipitate is however not known. It was also confirmed that alkalinity reduction in the coagulation of water sources (groundwater) using Moringa oleifera seeds7.

Chloride:
The Chlorides were present 12 mg/l in the ground water samples. It was observed that Moringa seed treatment with chloride ions reduces the chloride level, because cations from the seed attract negatively charged chloride ions present in ground water and neutralize the chlorides and therefore Chloride ions range between 5-9 mg/l in ground water samples which is within standard limit.

Hardness:
Hardness was 190 mg/l for ground water sample. It was observed that hardness of water is decreased with increased dose of Moringa seed powder at 50, 100 and 150 mg/l of ground water.

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9. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF USING MORINGA OLEIFERA SEEDS

ADVANTAGES
1. Cheap and easy method for developing countries (especially at household level). 2. The efficiency is independent of raw water pH. 3. The processing doesn't modify the pH of the water. 4. It doesn't alter the taste. 5. The low volume of sludge precipitated is biodegradable and hence an environmentally sound technology.

DISADVANTAGES
1. The treatment makes the water clear and 24 drinkable but the purified water might still carry some pathogenic germs or microorganisms. 2. A secondary increase of the bacteria after the water coagulation could be possible. 3. Coagulant is not available in pure form (should be prepared fresh)

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10. CONCLUSION
Application of plant flocculants such as Moringa oleifera is highly recommended for domestic water purification in developing countries, where people are used to drink contaminated turbid water. Moringa doesn't guarantee that the raw water ends up completely (100%) free of pathogenic germs. It is cleaned and drinkable but not completely purified. The planting of Moringa trees by smallholder farmers should be encouraged. It will improve both health and wealth. Promotion and development of M.oleifera as a natural coagulant offers many diverse advantages to many countries of the developing world; sustainable, appropriate, effective and robust water treatment, effective enhancement of particular wastewater treatment processes, decreased reliance on the importation and distribution of treatment chemicals, the creation of a new cash crop for farmers and employment opportunities. Many technical and economic issues remain to be resolved with regard to the extraction and purification of the active components within the seed kernel. Moringa oleifera seeds acts as a natural coagulant, flocculant,absorbent for the treatment of ground water. It reduces the total hardness, Turbidity, acidity, alkalinity, chloride. It also acts as anaturally occurring antimicrobial active agent against the microorganisms which are present in the drinking water and decrease the number of bacteria. The MPN test had shown positive which indicates the fecal contamination and the water is not safe for drinking purpose. MPN was reduced after treatment of higher dose of 150 mg/l of Moringa oleifera. If a combined dose of Moringa oleifera seed powder and chlorine can give best resultsand ground water can be used for drinking purpose. Moringa oleifera seed is not giving toxic e ffect. It is ecofriendly and cheaper method of water treatment. Moringa seeds can be used in the rural areas where no facilities are available for the drinking water treatment. After the treatment the sludge settled at the bottom of tank, can be used as bio-fertilizers is a added advantage of this method in rural areas.

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REFRENCES
Site

www.google.com

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/well/resources/technical-briefs/60-water-clarification-using-moringaoleifera-seeds.pdf http://scholarsresearchlibrary.com/JNPPR-vol2-iss1/JNPPR-2012-2-1-89-100.pdf http://www.gate-international.org/documents/techbriefs/webdocs/pdfs/w1e_2000.pdf http://repository.usp.ac.fj/4822/1/_135-138__vikashni_full_paper_may_2007.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moringa_oleifera

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