Investigating the Physico-Chemical Properties of Groundnut Shell and Its Effects on Hospital Waste Water

Hospital waste could be dangerous to the ecological balance and public health. The absence of efficient sewage treatment plant in many countries especially in Nigeria and national discharge standards for hospital wastewater has necessitated the need for hospital wastewater treatment. This study investigates the physico-chemical properties of groundnut shell and its effects on hospital waste water. Chemical reagents and materials were used for preparation, extraction and identification of phytochemical components in groundnut shell. Isolation and characterization of the microbial load in hospital waste water was carried out, X-ray fluorescence and FTIR analysis was done. Result showed the presence of E. coli, Salmonella spp, Staphylococcus Spp, Enterobacter Spp and Serratia in untreated hospital water and E. coli is absent in the treated one. Physico-chemical treatment of hospital waste is an effective parameter to monitor water treatment as PH, temp, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solid, total suspended solid, COD, turbidity, salinity, level of sulphate, nitrate and water level significant decreased. There was a statistically significant reduction (P<0.05) in the heavy metals present in hospital water waste before and after treatment with groundnut shell. Langmuir isotherm model with correlation reliability (R2) value of 0.91 was found to be better fit for the experimental data obtained than Freundlich isotherm model with correlation reliability (R2) value of 0.77. The optimization of the groundnut shell treatment process, such as varying the concentration of groundnut shell and the possibility of combining groundnut shell treatment with other treatment methods were recommended for future study.