Mercury removal from gold mining wastewater using palm oil fuel ash (POFA)

Mercury is a harmful element that commonly accumulates in the environment through anthropogenic activities such as gold mining. This study aimed to examine use of palm oil fuel ash (POFA) an agricultural waste remove mercury mining wastewater. The technology applied this was adsorption and precipitation. POFA first washed until neutral then mixed with effluent time variation 30, 60, 90 minutes. Next, precipitate it for 30 adsorbent dose used 250 mg 1 litre effluent. maximum efficiency observed 96.77%. utilization reduced levels wastewater below allowed released level (0.0025 Hg/L). Results indicate reducing from by utilizing simple, effective, low-cost be implemented.