THE EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY OF OPUNTIA FICUS-INDICA (OFI) POWDER IN REMOVING Fe, Mn, AND As METAL CONTAMINATION IN WATER TREATMENT

Abstract

The use of Alum in water treatment has a negative impact on human health if used in the long term. The potential of Opuntia ficus indica (OFI) to be used as an organic coagulant that comes directly from nature can minimize metal contamination. Hence, OFI could be used as a new alternative in water treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of OFI in eliminating Fe, Mn, and As contamination. This research was conducted for four months at the University of Andalas. The research method was done by making metal-contaminated water samples, making OFI extract in the shape of powder form, then carrying out the FTIR test, providing treatment in the Laboratory of Organic Chemistry of Natural Materials Department of Chemistry Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Andalas, then conducting Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) testing for Fe metals and Mn metals and UV-Vis spectrophotometer test for metals as metals in the West Sumatra Regional Health Laboratory. Analysis of the results of the AAS test and UV-Vis spectrophotometer test showed that OFI powder is more effective and efficient than alum in removing metal contamination. OFI powder is optimal at a mass of 50 mg for removing Mn metal contamination and 100 mg for removing Fe metal contamination, while As metal cannot be identified because the before and after values are smaller than 0.01 mg/L. OFI powder is also more efficient because it is cheaper, easier to cultivate and use by the public, and does not cause side effects on health. It is hoped that the use of OFI powder as a natural coagulant can be used massively by the community.