CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

Heavy metals natural elements elements occurring in the environment

and are present in varying concentrations in all ecosystems (Jyothi, 2020).

They can be described with basis on a variety of parameters like density

and transition of electrons. Metal elements with densities above 5𝑔/𝑐𝑚3

are considered as heavy metals (Jyothi, 2020). Examples of these metals

are include mercury(Hg), lead(Pb), arsenic(As), manganese(Mn),

chromium(Cr), cobalt(Co), copper(Cu), cadmium(Cd), zinc(Zn) and

nickel(Ni).

Heavy metals can exist in elemental form or in a variety of other chemical

compounds due to their multiple oxidation states. Due to this, the ions are

capable of forming complexes in solution (Cantinho, P, Matos, Trancoso, &

dos Santos, 2015). Volatile heavy metals such as mercury and others that

become attached to fine particles can be widely transported on very large

scales (Waleed & Hamad, 2023).

Heavy metal ions are toxic pollutants (Srivastava, Gupta, & Mohan, 1997).

When heavy metals from waste effluent are released into water bodies,

they contaminate the water sources. This happens as heavy metals

cannot be broken down and thus when released, the accumulate in an

ecosystem (Waleed & Hamad, 2023).

The primary causes of water contamination are hazardous industrial

pollutants, industrial wastewater(effluent), as well as runoff from farming

areas or agricultural practices (Waleed & Hamad, 2023). With increasing

urbanization and industrialization, there has been a rapid increase in

industrial effluent discharged into the stream water, leading to an

increased pollution load (Kumar KY, HB, Nayaka, Balasubramanyam, &

Hanumanthappa, 2013).

Massive amounts of dangerous metallic ions are discharged toward

ecosystems by industrial wastewater in various sectors, including

electrolysis and electroplating processes, metals-related industries, and

dyes manufacturing (Waleed & Hamad, 2023). Once metallic ions are

present in sufficient quantities, they become hazardous for living 9 beings

in their environment. Nonetheless, several heavy metals, such as Cd and

Ag, are highly poisonous, even in small quantities [Igwe & Abia, 2006].

There is a lot of importance for the determination of heavy metals in the

various environmental segments, such as air, water, and soil due to their

carcinogenic and toxic nature (Jyothi, 2020). Heavy metals have can cause

a variety health effects to those exposed. Heavy metals pose adverse

health effects to the gastrointestinal, renal, cardiovascular systems, etc.,

including causing conditions such as cancer, liver and kidney disease.

Heavy metal contamination can also affect plant metabolism and growth

(Gabson, et al., 2022).

The protection of human health and aquatic ecosystems therefore

requires the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater. This can be

carried out through a variety of methods such as coagulation-flocculation,

chemical precipitation, electrodialysis, membrane filtration, adsorption

and ion exchange (Waleed & Hamad, 2023).

A few problems are faced during the implementation of these treatment

methods that make them impractical for use on a large scale (Qasem,

Mohammed, & Lawal, 2021). Due to this, there has been research into the

removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater using efficient and

economically feasible methods that can be applied during large scale

treatment (Waleed & Hamad, 2023)

This research paper focuses on the removal of heavy metal ions using a

low cost adsorbent derived from blast furnace slag. These heavy metal

ions are to be removed through the process of adsorption. In order to

achieve this, an adsorbent derived from activated blast furnace slag will

have to be made and tested for the optimum conditions under which

heavy metal ions are efficiently removed. Wastewater samples will also be

collected and an investigation carried out to determine the wastewater

quality parameters denoted.

Problem statement

Nakivubo Channel in Kampala, Uganda is one of the major drainage

channels that carries wastewater away from the city. It stretches up to

Nakivubo Wetland and deposits its waste into Lake Victoria at Port Bell in

Murchison Bay. The main sources of heavy metal pollution in Nakivubo

Channel are industrial wastewater and runoff from urban areas

(Fuhrimann, et al., 2015).

Industrial wastewater from factories and workshops often contains high

levels of heavy metals, which are discharged into the channel without

adequate treatment. Runoff from urban areas can also contain heavy

metals from sources such as vehicle garages and construction sites when

these dispose of their waste into drainage channels.

As a result, the soils and plants in Nakivubo wetland have been polluted

by heavy metal ions (Jolocam, Kwetegyeka, Ntale, & Wasswa, 2020). The

water quality within Lake Victoria has also been greatly impacted due to

the continuous discharge of untreated effluent into the lake (Gabson, et

al., 2022). This has resulted in high costs incurred during water treatment

at Ggaba Water Treatment Plant, the death of aquatic life and an increase

in the adverse health impacts posed to locals around this lake due to

increased exposure (Fuhrimann, et al., 2015).

Concentration(mg/ L)

At the channel exit. MWE Maximum Permissible

Heavy Metal (Jolocam, Kwetegyeka, Limits. (MWE, 2020)

Ntale, & Wasswa, 2020)

Pb 3.303 ± 0.005 0.10

Cu 3.708 ± 0.005 0.50

Cd 0.719 ± 0.003 0.01

Zn 5.611 ± 0.006 2.00

Objectives of the study

Main Objective

To investigate the use of blast furnace slag as an adsorbent in the removal

of heavy metal ions from wastewater.

Specific Objectives

i. To determine the physico-chemical parameters of the wastewater

within Nakivubo Stream.

ii. To determine the physical and chemical properties of blast furnace

slag as an adsorbent

iii. To activate the blast furnace slag in preparation of an adsorbent for

use in the removal of heavy metal ions.

iv. To evaluate the maximum adsorption capacity of the activated blast

furnace slag.

A map showing the area of research

Justification

Wastewater pollution from heavy metals is a major environmental issue

that can have harmful effects on ecosystems and human well-being.

Numerous approaches have been created to tackle this problem, such as

adsorption methods. Activated blast furnace slag offers a good solution

for eliminating heavy metals from wastewater. Initially, activated steel

furnace slag is an easily obtainable and inexpensive substance derived

from iron production processes which is frequently disregarded as waste.

By making use of this waste material, it is possible to reduce the

environmental consequences linked to its disposal. Additionally,

activated blast furnace slag possesses a significant surface area and

porosity, which enables the efficient adsorption of heavy metal ions. The

porous configuration of activated blast furnace slag offers multiple sites

for binding heavy metal ions, thus facilitating their effective removal

from wastewater.

The chemical makeup of activated blast furnace slag plays a significant

role in its ability to effectively adsorb heavy metal ions. It comprises

different elements like calcium, iron, and silicon that display strong

attraction towards heavy metal ions. These elements can create robust

chemical connections with heavy metal ions, resulting in their

confinement and elimination from the wastewater.

Additionally, utilizing activated blast furnace slag presents the benefit of

being a renewable and eco-friendly substance. As it is produced as a by-

product of iron manufacturing, the availability of activated blast furnace

slag is constant and does not necessitate extra resources or energy-

intensive procedures for its production.

using activated blast furnace slag as a cost-effective adsorbent for the

extraction of heavy metal ions from wastewater is supported by its

economical nature, large surface area and porosity, chemical makeup,

and environmentally-friendly properties. Moreover, research has proven

the efficacy of activated blast furnace slag in eliminating heavy metal

ions from wastewater.

These studies offer empirical evidence and data to substantiate the

effective application of activated blast furnace slag as a sorbent for

eliminating heavy metals. However, there are some potential downsides

to employing activated blast furnace slag, such as the necessity for

appropriate disposal or treatment of the absorbed heavy metal-laden

slag and the possible release of heavy metals from the slag in the long

run.

Activated blast furnace slag shows great potential for removing heavy

metals from wastewater due to its cost-effectiveness, high surface area

and porosity, and strong chemical bonding ability with heavy metal ions.

Its use as an adsorbent offers various advantages including affordability,

structural properties, chemical composition, and environmental

sustainability. Furthermore, scientific research has demonstrated the

effectiveness of activated blast furnace slag in eliminating heavy metal

ions from wastewater through experimental evidence and data.