Water Purification using Moringa oleifera and Other Locally Available Seeds in Fiji for Heavy Metal Removal

Abstract

In this paper, the use of local seeds to improve the quality of drinking water in Fiji was investigated. Analysis of the heavy metals cadmium, copper, chromium, lead and zinc were performed before and after treatment of water with the local seeds Moringa oleifera, Arachis hypogaea (peanuts), Vigna unguiculata (cowpeas), Vigna mungo (urad) and Zea mays (corn). The results showed that Moringa seeds were capable of absorbing the heavy metals tested compared to other seeds in some water samples. The percentage removal by Moringa seeds were 90 % for copper, 80 % for lead, 60 % for cadmium and 50 % for zinc and chromium.