Gerunggang Activated Charcoal (Cratoxylon arborescens (Vahl) Blume) for Improving Water Quality

Gerunggang trees are pioneer species that grow in tropical rainforests. They thrive in swampy soil or in the transitional zone between swamps and dry land, exhibiting rapid growth, especially in Central Kalimantan. The branches and twigs, when cut down, are usually left behind as waste. One way to utilize this waste is by processing it into activated charcoal. This study aims to determine the characteristics of Gerunggang wood activated charcoal from the twig, branch, and trunk parts and its application in improving water quality. The activated charcoal was obtained through the pyrolysis process at a controlled temperature, followed by steam and heat activation. Tests conducted on the activated charcoal included yield percentage, moisture content, volatile matter content, ash content, fixed carbon content, absorption capacity for benzene, absorption capacity for iodine, and absorption capacity for methylene blue. The experimental design used was a completely randomized design (CRD) with multiple replications to ensure statistical accuracy. According to SNI 06-3730-1995, the results showed that the activated charcoal from the trunk part exhibited superior adsorption properties, particularly in terms of fixed carbon content and methylene blue absorption, compared to the twig and branch parts because it meets the SNI criteria, except for the iodine absorption capacity. The application of Gerunggang trunk activated charcoal to well water demonstrated a significant improvement in key water quality parameters, making it a promising alternative for water purification. Keywords: Activated charcoal, Gerunggang, water quality, adsorption, pyrolysis, carbon content, biochar.