Study of Pesticide (Dichlorvos) Removal from Aqueous Medium By Arachis Hypogaea (Groundnut) Shell Using GC/MS

Abstract: KOH, H 3 PO 4 and ZnCl 2 catalyzed Groundnut shells, subjected to a one and two steps activation methods were employed to study pesticide (Dichlorvos) uptake. The study examined activation method, nature of activating agents and concentration of the pesticide, as factors affecting removal of the pesticide. Quantitation, using GC/MS gave a percentage removal of over 98% by all the sorbent in the series. The percentage removal for the one step method follows the trend 1S/KOH/10 (100%) > 1S/H 3 PO 4 /10 (99.780%) > 1S/ZnCl 2 /10 (99.240%). Physicochemical data and close proximity of equilibrium results (q e ) to those of similar biowaste as reviewed in literatures are indication that Groundnut Shell based sorbent in this study could compete favorably well for pesticide(dichlorvos) uptake. [World Rural Observations 2010; 2(1):1-9]. ISSN: 1944-6543 (print); ISSN: 1944-6551 (online