EVALUATION OF BIOMASS FROM AGROBUSINESS FOR INDIGO BLUE REMOVAL IN AQUEOUS MEDIUM: PARTICIPATION OF TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

Dyes and pigments from fabrics, cosmetics, paper, etc., are responsible for contaminating the aquatic environment, which impacts the environment and public health. On the other hand, agribusiness also generates waste that can accumulate in the environment, generating different types of disorders. Therefore, in order to promote integration between agribusiness, the environment and environmental education, this project aimed to demonstrate that green coconut mesocarp (MCV) and wood sawdust (SM) can be used as decontaminating filters. Such filters would aim to remove the pollutant textile dye Indigo Blue (IB) from water samples. The materials were transformed into powder and properly stored. Subsequently, filters were built to simulate those used in Water Treatment Plants. IB solutions were passed through these filters. The best material, after physical-chemical analyzes and column tests, was the one with the smallest particle size, in both adsorbents. They were used in the laboratory treatment of water samples from Lake Interlagos, enriched with IB. For comparison, activated carbon (AC) was used. After the tests, both SM and MCV showed IB removal capabilities similar to that of activated carbon, being 98.00 ± 0.03 for SM, 97.00 ± 0.12 for MCV and 99. 00 ± 0.01 for CA, revealing that they are good natural adsorbents, under the appropriate analysis conditions.