RED AND BROWN PEAT USE IN REMOVING POLLUTANTS FROM MUNICIPAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER

The aim of this study was to characterise and assess the sorption potential of the red and brown peat, in relation to the pollutants from municipal and industrial wastewater. The objectives of this paper have been: physicochemical, morphological and mineralogical characterisation of two types of peat from the Covasna region, Romania and sorption capacity of peat testing for pollutants from municipal and meat industry wastewater. The characteristics peat samples were investigated using elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometry. The results of the SEM showed a high level of heterogeneity in terms of particle size and texture. Both samples of peat contain porous granules, but brown peat sample unlike the red peat sample also contains a significant mineral phase. The XRD analysis of peat samples showed the presence of crystalline structures for brown peat and characteristic of amorphous matter for red peat. Therefore, the red and brown peats have different content of inorganic and organic matters. The peat because of its characteristics can be used to treat municipal and meat industry wastewater with the removal efficiency above 50% for most pollutants.