2455-0272 / JACS Directory©2016. All Rights Reserved Cite this Article as: H.A. Onwumelu, P.E. Omuku, B.O. Otuya, Sorption potential of toxic substance from pharmaceutical waste water effluent via Achatina maginata, J. Env. Sci. Pollut. Res. 2(x) (2016) xx-xx. Journal of Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2(x) (2016) xx–xx Contents List available at JACS Directory Journal of Environmental Science and Pollution Research journal homepage: http://www.jacsdirectory.com/jespr Sorption Potential of Toxic Substance from Pharmaceutical Wastewater Effluent Via Achatina maginata H.A. Onwumelu 1 , P.E. Omuku 1, *, B.O. Otuya 2 1 Pure and Industrial Chemistry Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Anambra State, Nigeria. 2 Chemical Science Department, Novena University, Ogume Delta State, Nigeria. A R T I C L E D E T A I L S A B S T R A C T Article history: Received 13 July 2016 Accepted 24 July 2016 Available online xx August 2016 The work examined the use of Achatina maginata commonly called snail shell agro waste as an adsorbent for the sorption potential of toxic waste from pharmaceutical liquid effluent. Physicochemical parameters such as temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, total hardness, total alkalinity, total carbon dioxide, free carbon dioxide, organic matter content, turbidity, color, sulphate, organic matter content, nitrate, phosphate, manganese, chromium, nitrite and iron were carried out on the effluent before the sorption process and after to ascertain the potency of the biomass as an adsorbent for the toxic substances. The difference in the results of some of the physicochemical parameters of the waste water before and after treatment showed a reduction in color from 262 ptco to 55 ptco, there was reduction in turbidity values from 23 – 12 NTU, conductivity 182–124 mg/L, while there was an increase in DO value from 0.04-9.75 mg/L and pH from 6.91-7.66. There was a reduction in conductivity and turbidity values and increase in DO values after treatment, an indication that the snail shell can act as effective adsorbent and is economic viable in the treatment of waste water. Optimum dosage measurement using pH, Phosphate and Conductivity as an index for measurement showed that at a pH of 8, snail shell is more effective because the phosphate and conductivity values were 0.36 mg/L and 131 mg/L respectively. The results of the analysis presented the snail shell as a good adsorbent for the treatment of any pharmaceutical effluent containing high turbidity, nitrate, organic matter content and total carbon dioxide. Keywords: Snail Shell Adsorbent Agro Waste Conductivity Sorption Turbidity 1. Introduction The growth of biological and pharmaceutical plants was greatly accelerated during and after World War II. Manufacturers of new products, particularly antibiotics, have greatly increased the waste treatment and disposal problems [1]. Pharmaceutical companies are one of the major contributors of hazardous and toxic effluents. Ireland, alone generates about 43 tons biological oxygen demand (BOD) from pharmaceutical industry in 2005 [2-3]. Wastes from pharmaceutical industry, producing penicillin and similar antibiotics are strong with high BOD and low pH which are not generally treated as domestic wastewaters [1-2]. Pharmaceutical industry operations involve processes such as chemical synthesis, fermentation, extraction and other complex methods which generate air emissions, solid wastes and toxic effluents [4-5]. Effluents from these operations may produce highly turbid wastewaters caused by dissolution of solid particles and presence of toxic organic residues [3-6]. Since the pharmaceutical industry produces many products using different types of raw materials the composition of the effluent varies, hence it cannot be generalized [7-9]. Typically, pharmaceutical effluent is characterized by high organic chemical content [10-11]. Pharmaceuticals pose potential risks to the aquatic environment such as feminization of fish living downstream of wastewater treatment plant out falls [11-13]. If these toxic substances from pharmaceutical waste effluents are not removed prior to effluent discharge into water bodies, could hinder photosynthetic activities thus upsetting biological processes within a stream and also the toxic nature of the organic residues could cause adverse effects on aquatic organisms [13-15]. This research is embarked upon to determine the sorption potential or the removal efficiency of toxic substances from pharmaceutical wastewater effluents using snail shell as an adsorbent. Snails belong to the phylum molluscs and to the class gastropods; this class includes the gastropods, slugs and snails. Snail shell is an agricultural waste that pollutes the environment [14-15]. 2. Experimental Methods The reagents used in this work were all analytical standard reagents. Standard procedures were applied in the preparation of the following reagents; O-tolidine, potassium dichromate indicator, phenolphthalein, Mohr’s salt, alkalimetric reagent, Eriochrome Black T, K-10 buffer solution and EDTA. Snails (Achatina maginata) shells were collected from various locations around Wuse market Abuja. Waste water sample was collected from National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) located in Abuja. The company specializes in pharmaceutical and research work. The dried shell was made to undergo pyrolysis in a muffle furnace at 500 °C as the carbonation temperature using a carbonation time of 1 hour. The carbonized shells were then crushed and homogenized using 0.1 mm diameter sieve to fine powder to ensure a large surface area. Afterword the shell samples were rinsed using 500 mL of 1.2 molar HCl and 500 mL of distilled water; it was decanted out and was placed in an oven to dry. The activated carbon was packed into a burette which was blocked with cotton wool at the bottom and the water sample was slowly passed through it so that it could be filtered. FTIR Spectrophotometer analysis of the activated carbon from the snail shell was evaluated. The pH was measured using HACH pH meter while the temperature was examined with the aid of HACH Temperature meter and the conductivity was determined using HACH Conductivity meter. The dissolved oxygen was evaluated with HACH Dissolved Oxygen meter and the turbidity was found with the aid of Turbiddiometer. The colour, sulphate, iron, phosphate, nitrate, nitrite and manganese were measured with the aid of spectrophotometer at 120 mm, 680 mm, 265 mm, 490 mm, 355 mm, 371 mm and 295 mm respectively. *Corresponding Author Email Address: pe.omuku@unizik.edu.ng (P.E. Omuku) ISSN: 2455-0272