Pengaruh Massa Karbon Aktif Cangkang Kemiri (Aleurites moluccana (L.) Wild.), Waktu Kontak, dan pH terhadap Adsorpsi TDS, Warna dan Zat Organik (KMnO4) pada Air Gambut di Bangko Pusako, Rokan Hilir, Riau

Abstract

Peat Water (PW) has the characteristic of brownish-red color, with a high level of acidity, and high organic content. Peat itself an organic material formed from the result of imperfect decomposition of plants in an environmental that has high humidity and lack of oxygen. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiviness of activated carbon from candlenut shells activated by H3PO4 using microwaves in adsorbing TDS, color, and organic matter in peat water. This study used the response surface methodology with variations in adsorbent dosage (8; 12; 16 grams), contact time (5; 22.5; 40 minutes), and pH (5; 7; 9). The best result were obtained in Run 11 with a dosage of 8 grams, contact time of 22.5 minutes, and pH 5, where the TDS concentration decreased from 320 mg/L to 180 mg/L with a removal efficiency of 44%. The optimal results for color and organik matter were obtained in Run 4 with a dose of 16 grams for 40 minutes with pH 7, the color concentration was reduced from 943 TCU to 92 TCU and organic matter was reduced from 336 mg/L to 84,4 mg/L, with a removal efficiency of 90% and 75%. Although the test was carried out with different pH variations, the pH changed to acid during the adsorption process. These results indicate that candlenut shells activated with H3PO4 using microwaves are effective in reducing contaminants in peat water, with the best performance in acidic conditions.