Tratamento de água contaminada com emergente (Ibuprofeno) com o uso de coagulante natural Moringa oleifera

Abstract

The presence of emerging contaminants, especially pharmaceuticals such as ibuprofen, in water bodies has been increasingly reported, as these compounds are not efficiently removed by conventional water treatment processes, posing potential risks to the environment and public health. In this context, the search for sustainable treatment alternatives has encouraged the use of natural coagulants. In view of this scenario, the present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of a natural coagulant extracted from Moringa oleifera seeds in the removal of the emerging contaminant ibuprofen from synthetic water samples. The methodology consisted of coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation tests performed using the Jar Test, in which experimental treatments were evaluated by varying the coagulant dosage and the sedimentation time. After treatment, physicochemical analyses of turbidity and absorbance were carried out. The results showed that the natural coagulant exhibited satisfactory performance, particularly in turbidity removal, with efficiencies ranging from 78% to 95%, meeting the limits established by Brazilian Ordinance GM/MS No. 888/2021. Regarding absorbance, removal percentages ranged from 25% to 90%, with higher efficiency observed under intermediate conditions of coagulant dosage and sedimentation time, highlighting the sensitivity of the process to operational variables. Overall, the results allowed for a better understanding of the coagulant behavior under laboratory conditions and demonstrated its potential as a sustainable alternative for the treatment of water contaminated with pharmaceutical compounds.