Abstract:
Desalination has garnered significant interest as a
means of addressing the demand for freshwater; nonetheless,
traditional desalination methods can prove expensive and have
adverse environmental effects. Hence, this study aimed to design
and develop a 'brackish water desalination system, that
integrates marine algae and a biofilter liner system composed of
mature compost, clay-polyethylene-clay composites. To begin,
marine algae samples were gathered from Negombo, “Thalpe”
beach, and Baticoloa lagoon and cultivated in a controlled
laboratory environment. A well-developed sample was then
chosen for the treatment system. Next, a portable trapezoidal
pit-shaped model was constructed, measuring 90 cm across the
top square, 30 cm across the bottom square, and with a depth of
30 cm. This structure was encased with steel wire mesh, with the
bottom layer of mesh serving to release the water. The biofilter
system was constructed with a 20-cm clay polythene-clay
composite liner along with a mature compost layer. Algae have
shown great potential in desalination processes due to their
unique biological properties. The incorporation of algae abundant Negombo Lagoon water in the final layer of the
biofilter system serves a crucial role in desalinating the water.
Characterization of brackish water of Negombo lagoon
electrical conductivity, salinity %o, total dissolved solids and pH
was 17,910mS/cm, 35%, and 8,957ppm, 7.76 respectively.
Hydraulic conductivity of the liner was 2.64 × 10-7
cm/sec.
Parameters were taken from both filtrate and inside the
bioreactor regularly at 4.00pm. The collaborative efforts of
mature compost, algae, and the microalgal community proved
successful in achieving a 90% reduction in salinity.
