Modeling the shrimp aquaculture wastewater pollutant removals by clam shell using structural equation model

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Aquaculture practices were emitting wastewater containing pollutants. The identified pollutants encompass heavy metals along with nitrite and nitrate. In this context, clam shells have emerged as a cost-effective and proficient adsorbent, demonstrating the ability to eliminate pollutants from water sources. This study aimed to model the removal efficiency of clam shell of Perna viridis on copper, zinc, nitrate, and nitrite pollutants from waste water. The model is using the structural equation model. METHODS: The pollutants observed included copper, zinc, nitrate, and nitrite, considering that those pollutants are common pollutants occurring in aquaculture wastewater. To manufacture the clam shell adsorbent, the procedure entails the calcination of clam shells. The modeling analysis to model the pollutant removal efficiency by clam shell was done using the Structural Equation Model method using latent and observed variables. The primary water parameters that impacted removal efficiency were total suspended solids, total alkalinity, and hydrogen ion concentration. The model were then validated using the factor loadings. FINDINGS: The result showed clam shell can reduce the heavy metals from water with a removal efficiency of 84–99 percent. Based on the results of the model and the factor loading values, it is evident that total alkalinity is the primary water variable influencing metal removal, while potential hydrogen is also a significant contributor. Metal that was affected significantly by those water variables was copperA similar pattern is observed with nitrite and nitrate concentrations in water, where nitrite is more significantly impacted. CONCLUSION: In general, clam shell can adsorb diluted pollutants from aquaculture wastewater since there are portions of adsorbed pollutants. Employing a modeling approach is instrumental in elucidating and distinguishing various water parameters that may impact the efficiency of pollutant extraction by clam shells from wastewater.