Mg/Si- and Ag-Doped Carbon-Based Media Rainwater Filtration System for Multiple Pollutants Removal

In this study, the removal performances of a multi-pollutant elimination cartridge system (MPECS) composed of palm shell waste-based activated carbon (PSAC), magnesium (Mg)/silicon (Si)-doped PSAC (Mg/Si-PSAC), and silver (Ag)-doped PSAC (Ag-PSAC) for heavy metals, organic pollutants, and <i>Escherichia coli</i> were investigated. Mg/Si impregnation significantly improved heavy metal removal using PSAC by increasing the surface area and adding more sorption sites to the magnesium silicate nanolayer. Fixed-bed column experiments showed that the MPECS column outperformed PSAC and commercial activated carbon (DJAC), with a 1.5 to 2.0 times higher <i>E. coli</i> removal and a higher removal of organic pollutants and heavy metals. The MPECS column, with its disinfection ability and adsorption of heavy metals and organic matter, is a promising system for removing multiple pollutants from rainwater.