Assessing the Removal of Turbidity and Coliform Transport through Canal-Bed Sediment at Lab-Scale: Column Experiments

Imdad Ali Kandhar; Ghous Bux Khaskheli; Abdul Razaque Sahito; Rasool Bux Mahar

doi:10.22581/muet1982.1704.24

Imdad Ali Kandhar Institute of Environmental Engineering & Management, Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro.
Ghous Bux Khaskheli Department of Civil Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro
Abdul Razaque Sahito Institute of Environmental Engineering and Management, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro.
Rasool Bux Mahar US-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Water, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22581/muet1982.1704.24

Abstract

This study was conducted at lab scale to determine the performance of the canal-bed for the removal of turbidity and microorganisms TC (Total Coliforms) from surface water. The canal-bed sediments were collected and analyzed for the characteristics of sediments for grain size distribution, hydraulic conductivity and the POM (Particulate Organic Matter) percent. Canal-bed sediments were containing fine particles<0.075mm in the range of 40-58%, with hydraulic conductivity averaged 7ft/day, and the POM 2.75%. The water samples collected from the canal-water have shown average POM 3.6%. Theremoval-reduction in turbidity and TC were determined through the column experiments on the canal-bed sediments. Three columns were prepared at lab-scale by using prepared canal-bed sediment as a filter-bed in the columns for the filtration of raw water samples. Fine particles of the canal-bed grain size D10 0.2 and D10 0.1mm were selected for the filter-bed formation. The prepared concentrated and diluted influent water samples containing turbidity and TC were passed through the washed filter-bed into the columns for 8-weeks filter run. The frequency of sampling and analysis were followedafter the interval of one-week run, the influent (raw water) and effluent (filtered) water samples were collected and analyzed for the turbidity and TC concentrations. The performance of the grain size D10 0.1mm have shown 95-99.95% reduction in turbidity and TC compared to the larger grain size having D10 0.2mm particles.