Removal of Malachite Green from Contaminated Water using Electro-Coagulation Technique

Considerable amount of unconsumed dyes from textile, paper and printing industries are being discharged into water bodies, every day. The presence of dyes and pigments in water causes considerable damage to the aquatic environment [1]. These contaminants result in high chemical oxygen demand (COD), high biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), toxicity, bad smell, and are mainly responsible for the coloration of wastewaters. The presence of color in water is undesirable since it blocks the sunlight access to aquatic flora and fauna thus reducing the photosynthetic action within the ecosystem [2]. Malachite green has been used as a food coloring additive, dyeing silk, jute, leather, wool, cotton and paper [3]. Moreover, this compound has also been used as a disinfectant and anti-helminthic, in aquaculture and as a fungicide and antiseptic [4].