Reduction of Fluoride in Drinking Water using Azadirachta Indica (Neem Leaves)

Fluoride is a persistent and non – biodegradable pollutant that accumulates in soil, plants, wildlife and in a human beings. Therefore, removal of fluoride, using best technique with optimum efficiency is needed. The present survey highlights on efficiency of different materials for the removal of fluoride from water. The study assess the suitability of inexpensive leaf adsorbents to effectively remediate fluoride contaminated water. In present study neem leaves powder activated using chemical treatment as a low cost adsorbent and its characteristics were studied. The most important results of extensive studies on various key factors (Ph, contact time, temperature, particle size, surface area, adsorbent dosage ) fluctuate fluoride removal capacity of materials are reviewed. The adsorption equilibrium is well correlated by freundlich and Langmuir models. Langmuir isotherm fits well for defluoridation of water using leaf powder. The percentage of fluoride removal using the low cost adsorbents are as follows, inativarted adsorbent – 91% activated adsorbent = 85%, carbonized adsorbent = 87 %.