Abstract
Residents living near mining sites are at a high risk of water contamination from heavy metals like Cu, Ni, Cd, and As. Consumption of water containing these harmful heavy metals consequence to poor health and high mortality rate. In disadvantaged regions where centralized water treatment systems are not constantly available, these communities largely depend upon traditional treatment methods like boiling, chlorination, and solar disinfection, which are inappropriately treated. Ceramic filters offer a promising alternative option due to their affordability, accessibility, and effectiveness. These filters are made from locally sourced materials and utilize traditional techniques, which can remove 90% of heavy metals and microplastics and effectively remove sediment, dirt, and debris. This research project focuses on developing a ceramic biochar composite filter to eradicate heavy metals, particularly Pb and Cu, and microplastics from wastewater. The filters were composted of earthenware clay, biochar derived from blue gum pine wood, and sawdust in various ratios. The biochar was produced through pyrolysis at 450 ℃, 600 ℃, and 750 ℃, respectively, for approximately 2 to 3 hours; half of the batch was activated using a 2 M NaOH solution. The materials were characterized by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy / Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. We evaluated the moulded ceramic filters, half a batch incorporated with copper nanoparticles and the other half not incorporated with copper nanoparticles, to determine the flow rate of water, porosity, mechanical strength, surface morphology, yield, fouling, and durability. Their effectiveness in removing heavy metals was determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry, while the microplastics were identified using an electron microscope for shape, colour, and size; Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy was used to determine the functional groups of the microplastics. Primarily, the results suggest that the filters could significantly reduce contaminants, which in turn offer a sustainable solution for water purification in low-income communities.