Performance Evaluation Of Polyacrylamide (Pam) In Flocculation: A Study Of Pollutant Removal From Wastewater And Leachate

Abstract

Water pollution from municipal wastewater and landfill leachate represents a growing global challenge. This study evaluated the efficiency of synthesized polyacrylamide (PAM) as a flocculant for wastewater treatment in Mascara, Algeria. PAM was obtained via free-radical polymerization and characterized by FTIR, XRD, and zeta potential analysis, confirming its structural integrity and amorphous nature. Coagulation–flocculation experiments were conducted using aluminum sulfate as a coagulant, with operational optimized parameters

Results demonstrated that the optimal conditions, significantly improved effluent quality. Wastewater treatment reduced BOD and COD, and conductivity dropped .Leachate treatment decreased BOD, with minimal impact on conductivity. Heavy metal fixation was highest for Fe (~95%) and moderate for Ca, Mg, and Pb, while K and Zn showed low removal efficiency.

Overall, PAM proved to be an effective and low-cost flocculant for pre-treatment of wastewater and leachate,