The Future of Education

Abstract

Pomegranate (punica granatum) is a common and frequently consumed fruit in Turkey. In this study, the purpose was to create the optimum condition for the purification of  Pb+2 ions(a common poisonous heavy metal inside water sources) in wastewater with the help of the acids inside the pomegranate peel. Pomegranate peel was left in room temperature to dry and after that, it was crushed into tiny pieces. By using lead (II) nitrate compound, Pb+2 ion solutions were prepared to test the effects of different variables on Pb+2 treatment. Specifically, the effects of mixing speed of the solution, solution’s pH, solution’s Pb+2 ion concentration, and the pomegranate peel amount that was added into the solution were observed. These factors’ effect on Pb+2 ion treatment was measured by UV spectrophotometer. At the end of the study, mixing speed of the solution and the amount of pomegranate peel added was directly proportional with Pb+2 ion treatment, pH and Pb+2 ion concentration were inversely proportional with Pb+2 ion treatment. In addition to helping to preserve the environment, research such as the one that was conducted encourages students to pursue further education in sciences since it demonstrates usage of theoretical science in solving real-world problems. In this particular study, knowledge obtained from AP Chemistry class about ionization, acids and bases and molarity was put into use next to additional research about the working principles of spectrophotometry in an effort to find the optimum conditions for treating waste water with pomegranate peel.

Keywords: Punica granatum, water treatment, Lead, absorption