Work

Cerium as an Efficient Coagulant for Phosphorus Removal from Wastewater

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Excessive nutrient levels, particularly phosphorus, in wastewater have led to severe environmental issues such as eutrophication, necessitating effective treatment methods for nutrient removal. Traditional coagulants like alum (Al₂(SO₄)₃) are commonly used but often require high dosages and are sensitive to pH, limiting their effectiveness in varying wastewater conditions. Cerium, a rare earth element, has emerged as a promising alternative coagulant due to its ability to remove nutrients efficiently across a wide pH range. This study investigates the performance of cerium in comparison to alum for phosphorus and organic matter removal. Cerium demonstrates superior performance, achieving up to 98.9% phosphorus removal at a lower dose (1.5 mg-Ce/mg-P) compared to alum (5.0 mg-Al/mg-P) while maintaining stable removal efficiency across both acidic and alkaline conditions. Furthermore, cerium also facilitates moderate organic matter (COD) removal, achieving up to 27.9% COD removal, enhancing overall water treatment performance. The main precipitate formed during the coagulation process is cerium phosphate (CePO₄), which provides a stable, crystalline structure for nutrient capture. In conclusion, cerium offers a more efficient and cost-effective solution for wastewater treatment, reducing the need for pH adjustment and additional chemical inputs, while achieving higher phosphorus and organic matter removal compared to traditional coagulants.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su17051862

Author: Faisal Abudulrhman Osra

Institution: Umm al-Qura University

Language: English

Topic: Coagulation and Flocculation Studies

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896