Effectiveness of Kepok Banana Peel Bioadsorbent for Workshop-Contaminated Water

Abstract

Motor vehicle workshop wastewater may contain persistent heavy metals. This study evaluated kepok banana peel bioadsorbent for treating workshop-contaminated water using a laboratory experiment and descriptive quantitative approach. The bioadsorbent was prepared by sun-drying, heating at 150 °C for 2 hours, sieving to 100 mesh, and activation with 3% NaOH. Adsorbent doses of 10, 15, and 20 g were mixed with 500 mL samples through coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation. Initial pH was 6.72 and increased to 8.48–8.62 after treatment. Pb and Cu were reported as <0.024 mg/L and <0.007 mg/L before and after treatment. Because all Pb and Cu results were below the thresholds reported by the laboratory, their removal efficiencies could not be calculated. Under the tested conditions, pH increased after treatment, whereas its effectiveness for Pb and Cu removal remained undetermined.