APLIKASI ARANG CANGKANG KELAPA SAWIT (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) TERAKTIVASI NaOH SEBAGAI ADSORBEN ION MERKURI DALAM AIR SUNGAI BATANG KUANTAN RIAU

Abstract

Oil palm shells can be used as adsorbents because they have chemical compositions such as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin which are able to adsorb adsorbate. This study aims to test the ability of activated carbon from oil palm shells to adsorption of mercury ions in Batang Kuantan river water. Palm shell activated carbon is made through a carbonization process at 600oC for 1 hour, then activated using NaOH with a ratio of 1:0, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 (w/w) to carbon and NaOH. Palm shell carbon with the best quality is found in a 1:4 ratio. The effect of the contact time adsorbent with the simulation solution was carried out with time variations (10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 40 minutes, 50 minutes and 60 minutes). The mercury ion concentration of the Batang Kuantan river water in the upstream, middle, and downstream parts was 0.635 μg/L, 1.410 μg/L and 1.937 μg/L, respectively. Activated palm shell carbon with activated NaOH 1:4 was contacted with Batang Kuantan river water for 50 minutes (time optimum), the mercury ion concentration measured in Batang Kuantan river water was 0.200 μg/L (upstream), 0.441 μg/L (middle) and 0.602 μg/L (downstream). The mercury ion adsorption efficiency at each sampling point of river water was 68.50%, 68.72% and 68.92%. From the research data, it can be concluded that the activated carbon of oil palm shells is able to adsorbtion mercury ions in the water of the Batang Kuantan River.