title: An integrated electrocoagulation-phytoremediation process for the treatment of mixed industrial wastewater.
abstract: The elimination of organic contaminants in highly complex wastewater was tested using a combination of the techniques: electrocoagulation with aluminum electrodes and phytoremediation with Myriophyllum aquaticum. Under optimal operating conditions at a pH of 8 and a current density of 45.45 A m(-2), the electrochemical method produces partial elimination of contaminants, which was improved using phytoremediation as a polishing technique. The combined treatment reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 91%, color by 97% and turbidity by 98%. Initial and final values of contaminants in wastewaters were monitored using UV-vis spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry. Finally, the morphology and the elemental composition of the biomass were characterized with using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS). The presence of Al in the roots of plants in the system indicates that the aluminum present in the test solution could be absorbed.
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autórnoma del Estado de México, Facultad de Química, Toluca, Estado de México, México.
authors.forename: Rodríguez Claudia Teodora
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Cano
authors.forename: Araceli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amaya-Chávez
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roa-Morales
authors.forename: Carlos Eduardo
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Barrera-Díaz
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ureña-Núñez
mesh_terms: D000535:Aluminum / Q000032:analysis; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D008800:Mexico; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry / Q000379:methods; D033021:Oxytropis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000535:Aluminum