Green flocculant performance for wastewater treatment using cactus plant powder: A mini-review

Abstract

The use of reclaimed wastewater has emerged as one of the most effective strategies to address the global water scarcity issue. However, concerns arise due to the presence of various chemical residuals resulting from the diverse range of chemical products used during the treatment process. These residuals can pose significant threats to human health and the environment. As a solution to this problem, the utilization of cactus plant powder in water treatment has garnered increasing attention among researchers. This bio-material alternative offers several advantages, such as being biodegradable, non-toxic, and cost-effective. Chemical flocculants, though widely used, can lead to environmental problems due to their persistence and bioaccumulation in living organisms. In contrast, cactus-based bio-flocculants provide a more environmentally friendly approach to water treatment. The objective of this study is to investigate various methods of preparing cactus-based bio-flocculants and examine their performance in reducing turbidity, chemical oxygen demand, total suspended matter, total dissolved matter, and heavy metals in wastewater. Furthermore, the research delves into the impact of cactus preparation and application conditions on the efficiency of the treatment process.