Evaluation of the Coagulant Opuntia Floccosa in the Treatment of Silica Reduction in Industrial Wastewater

The availability of water is critical to the survival and viability of various organisms, including humans. This study used natural coagulants to improve water quality and mitigate resulting contamination, primarily from industrial operations. It is crucial to establish standards and treatment protocols to protect this invaluable natural resource and reduce the occurrence of diseases, such as silicosis, associated with the presence of silica in water. The general objective of this study is to determine the efficacy of a natural coagulant obtained from the species Opuntia floccosa to reduce the amount of silica in the water. The experimental methodology was designed using the jug test to determine both the coagulation time and the optimal dose of the coagulant. Samples were obtained from effluent from non-metallic mining activities. Data were collected from six treatments, each replicated three times. The treatments consisted of varying the doses of coagulant applied to the samples, with the following variations in grams per liter: P0 = 0 g/L, P1= 1 g/L, P2 = 2 g/L, P3 = 3 g/L, P4 = 4 g/L, and P5 = 5 g/L.The results of the research show that the coagulant based on Opuntia floccosa had a significant effect on silica removal, with a removal efficiency of 86%. In addition, it was confirmed that the optimal amount of this coagulant was 2 g/L and that the best time for coagulation was 4 minutes. These findings highlight the potential of Opuntia floccosa as an effective and eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical coagulants, paving the way for more sustainable water treatment solutions.