Kgolofelo Nkele - Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Science, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private bag X۶۸۰, Pretoria ۰۰۰۱, South Africa
Lizzy Mpenyana-Monyatsi - Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Science, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private bag X۶۸۰, Pretoria ۰۰۰۱, South Africa
Vhahangwele Masindi - Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Science, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private bag X۶۸۰, Pretoria ۰۰۰۱, South Africa

A pilot trial was performed in a potable water treatment plant with a capacity of ۱۶ ML/day.  The aim was to determine the removal of manganese using a mechanochemically synthesized Mg-(OH)۲-Ca nanocomposite. The acquired results were underpinned by state-of-the-art analytical instruments. Specifically, the trials were performed for ۱۵۷ hr using hydrated lime, periclase, and their nanocomposite individually. The key performance indicators were manganese, turbidity, electrical conductivity (EC), and pH. The results showed an increase in pH from ±۷.۴۶ to ≥۷.۵, ≥۸.۲, and ≥۷.۸ and EC from ±۰.۲۴ to ≥۰.۲۸, ≥۰.۵۷, and ≥۰.۵۸ mS/cm for hydrated lime, periclase, and their nanocomposite, respectively. Manganese was reduced from ±۴۰۰ to ≤۸۰ µg/L, ≤۸۹ µg/L, and ≤۵۴ µg/L for hydrated lime, periclase, and their nanocomposite, respectively. The NTU was reduced to ≤۱ for all the chemicals but registered the following sequence: ≤۰.۴۰, ≤۰.۸۵, and ≤۰.۸۹ for hydrated lime ≥ nanocomposite ≥ periclase, respectively, from ۶.۴۵ NTU. The findings of this study demonstrated the capabilities of nanomaterials in increasing the pH of the product solution and attenuating manganese and turbidity to the required levels. Lastly, the material costs denoted R ۶۳۰۰.۰۰ (۳۲۳.۹۸ USD)/week for the nanocomposite, and this was cheaper when compared to individual materials. Interestingly, the nanocomposite denoted superior and cost-effective performance compared to individual materials and will be a great success for the attenuation of manganese and other contaminants, hence enhancing its ferocious versatility in water treatment.

Drinking water treatment, Manganese contamination, Manganese removal, Hydrated lime (Ca (OH)۲), periclase (MgO), Nanocomposite, Materials costs