Characterization and treatment of electroplating industry wastewater using Fenton's reagent

With the rapid increase in population, developmental works and industries, the environment is bound to get polluted, if timely steps are not taken for proper treatment of the pollutants, before allowing their mixing in the raw form with the main components of the environment i.e. air, food and water, earth, forests etc. which are the life sustaining resources available in the environment. The need of the hour is to adopt necessary steps for proper treatment of all types of wastes that are generated in the society due to our own day to day activities. The electroplating of a metallic product is done to prevent it from corrosion and to give a decorative and smooth finish. This paper deals with Characterization, quantification and treatment of electroplating Industry wastewater. The wastewater was treated with Fenton's reagent for the removal of heavy metals. The results indicated an increase in the percentage reduction of heavy metals with an increasing dose of Fenton's reagent. Hydrogen peroxide alone was not effective in the removal of heavy metals. However, hydrogen peroxide in combination with ferrous Sulphate (Fenton's reagent) was effective in the removal of heavy metals.