Biodepuration of domestic sewage, textile effluents and acid mine drainage using starch-based xerogel from recycled potato peels

Water is a finite resource. Its safety and cleanliness are highly important to meet current and future human needs. Compared to other resources, water represents a main factor to achieve development in several areas and leads to economic progress of a nation. However, in recent years, the excessive demographic and industrial growth has exacerbated water contamination. In this study, the biodepuration process of domestic sewage (DS), textile effluents (TE) and acid mine drainage (AMD) is conducted using starch-based xerogel from potato (Solanum tuberosum) peels. Results showed that the treatment is effective to achieve the reduction of 5-day biochemical oxygen demand. The most important result was the achievement of heavy metals removal for the three components. Firstly, there was a reduction of barium, zinc, and cadmium (91, 60 and 46%, respectively) for raw AMD. Secondly, there was a reduction in the levels of zinc, aluminum, and barium (89, 86 and 64%, respectively) for TE biodepuration. Finally, results showed a reduction in zinc, iron and cadmium levels (81, 78 and 57%, respectively) for DS biodepuration.