Calcium Carbonate “Kuhol” Shells as Potential Bio sand Filtering Medium for Turbid Water

An Investigatory Project

PHYSICAL SCIENCE-TEAM CATEGORY

Researchers:

Yunez S. Cayabas

Dominic Rinze Carlos

Kairan Kiyawan

Adviser:

Fe P. Gullod

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title 1

INTRODUCTION 4

A. Background of the Study 4

B. Statement of the Problem 6

C. Null Hypothesis 6

D. Significance of the Study 7

E. Scope and Limitation of the Study 7

F. Definition of Terms 8

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK 8

Paradigm of the Study 8

METHODOLOGY 10

Research Design 10

Experimental Procedure 10

Qualitative Analysis 11

RESULTS 18
Table 1 19

Table 2 20

Table 3 20

Table 4 20

DISCUSSIONS 21

SUMMARY, FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary 22

Findings 22

Conclusions 22

Recommendations 23

BIBLIOGRAPHY 24
INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Calcium carbonate ‘’Kuhol” shells are common in the rice fields of Data, Sabangan Mountain Province
and the nearer Barangays, municipalities and provinces. It is usually named as “Bisokol” or “Kuhol” with
the rest of the province. “Golden Kuhol” in English. This was eaten by getting the flesh inside throwing
the shells away as wastes.

Calcium carbonate, or CaCO3, comprises more than 4% of the earth’s crust and is found throughout the
world (Industrial Mineral Association - North America, 2017). A major source of calcium carbonate is
marine organisms such as coral, shellfish and mollusks, which use it to construct their shells, or skeleton
line casing (Shaw, 2017). According to the Scientific American (2017), such shells have three distinct
layers and are composed mostly of calcium carbonate with only a small quantity of protein which is no
more than 2 percent. Likewise, CaCO3 can be obtained from “kuhol” shells which both have a similar
amount of CaO to commercial CaCO3 (Hamester, 2012).

Barangay Data of Sabangan, Mountain Province is situated at the foot of a Mountain “Mount. Oona”.
And the main source of water for domestic purposes are springs. However, water from springs can
become turbid especially during rainy seasons that causes diseases due to contaminated drinking water
from the spring. Practices applied in the community in addressing this problem is by the use of cloth in
the outlet of the water which does not guarantee the safety of water for drinking.

Water sanitation poses even a greater challenge, presenting both environmental and health impact
(Mohd Amin I. et al, 2015). In the country, only 5% of the total population is connected to a sewer
network and since sludge treatment and disposal facilities are rare, domestic water is discharged
without treatment making waterborne diseases a severe public health concern in the country. (Claudio,
L., 2015). Moreover, a study on water supply and monitoring of UNICEF and the World Health
Organization (2015) revealed that about 4,200 people die each year due to contaminated drinking
water.

Filtration is the bulwark of water treatment where significant removal of bacteria and other microbes
happens. Craun (1998) concludes that in all but exceptional situations, effective filtration of surface
waters must be provided to minimize waterborne diseases. Another application of filtration in water
treatment is preliminary treatment of raw water with high suspended solids content. Sand filtration is
used for the removal of suspended matter, as well as floating and sinkable particles. Sand is the most
common medium; however, anthracite, crushed magnetite, garnet, and crushed recycled glass (Elliot,
2011) are being used as an alternative filtering medium.
Turbidity is the cloudiness of water. The cloudiness typically comes from particles that are suspended in
the water that we can’t see individually. These particles could be algae, dirt, minerals, proteins, oils, or
even bacteria’s. Turbidity is an optical measurement that indicates the presence of suspended particles.
It's measured by shining light through a sample, and quantifying the suspended particle concentration.
The more particles that are in a solution, the higher the turbidity. There are many methods to measure
turbidity. As a measurement of how cloudy water is, we can use everything from visual methods to full-
scale meters to quantify and to qualify it.

Statement of the Problem and Hypothesis

The research will aim to synthesize a potential filtering medium for turbid water using calcium
carbonate Kuhol shells as a bio sand filtering medium.

Specifically, it will seek to answer the details about the specifications of the proposed material:

1) Is there a significant efficiency of kuhol-alternative bio sand filter as filtering medium for turbid
water?

Hypothesis: There is a significant efficiency of Kuhol shells as alternative bio sand filtering medium for
turbid water.

2) Is there a significant difference on the efficiency of “kuhol” shells as alternative bio sand filters having
varying mass of pulverized shells?

a. 30 g

b. 40 g

c. 50 g

Hypothesis: There is a significant difference on the efficiency of “kuhol” shells as alternative bio sand
filter having varying mass of pulverized shells.

Significance of the Study

This study has implication on the innovative treatment of turbid water. The use of kuhol as alternative
sand filter is a sustainable solution for its disposal, making use of their chemical and mechanical
properties effectively. Through the unique properties and composition of kuhol shells, the extension of
their function and purpose for turbid water treatment will be studied. Also, the study will help in the
reduction of waste shells from households and restaurants, wet markets, and red tide in places near
seas. The application of this alternative sand filter will support the generation’s pursuit of sustainability
to reduce waste and harm nature together with providing our fisher folk with additional economic
opportunities.

Turbid water treatment plants and water refilling stations would be good applications of the alternative
sand filter since it is very evident that there is a limited supply of water for human use not just in Baguio
City but also in rural places like in Data, Sabangan where water sources becomes turbid especially during
rainy seasons.

At the end of the bed life of these alternative filters, they can be composted and be used for liming of
soil which would increase and maintain profitable crop production while at the same time minimizing
environmental damage.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study was conducted at Data National High School, Data, Sabangan Mountain Province from July to
September 2018.

This focus on the efficiency of Calcium carbonate Kuhol shells as bio sand filtering medium with varying
mass of pulverized Kuhol shells for the treatment of turbid water. Efficiency was measured in terms of
qualitative descriptive observation on the different sources of turbid water.

Definition of Terms

“Bisokol” or Kuhol shells is a local term used by the community and the nearby communities with the
family of mollusc found in the most fields in the locality.

Turbidity is an optical measurement that indicates the presence of suspended particles.

Filtration is the fortification of water treatment where significant removal of bacteria and other
microbes happens.

Bio Sand filters are natural filters used for the removal of suspended matter, as well as floating and
sinkable particles.

Bio Sand filtration is the process of removing suspended matter in the water using natural resources.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

It is conceptualized in studying the effectiveness of Calcium Carbonate “Kuhol” shells as effective Bio
sand filtering medium for turbid water. Furthermore, if calcium carbonate “Kuhol” shells will be proven
to its effectiveness as bio sand filters for wastewater, it can now be used as an alternative bio sand filter
for waste water and turbid water treatment.

Availability of these shells in the locality benefits the people in making their bio sand filtering medium
for turbid water by utilizing the waste shells instead of buying commercialized water filters.

Independent Variables Process Dependent Variables

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

This study made use of qualitative descriptive method of research.

The treatment used were the following: T0 or the Control (Distilled Water), T1 or the Mabika turbid
water, T2 or the Patpatayan turbid water, T3 or the Dadangtayan Turbid water, T4 Balaw Turbid Water
and T5 or the Gusing Turbid Water. Each treatment has 3 replicates for data collection to be feasible.

Experimental Procedure:

A. Pre-experimental Activities

Collection of Raw Material. 1,080 g of Waste “kuhol” shells are collected from the fields of Barangay
Data. The shells are thoroughly washed with water and soap to remove dust and fines and were initially
sun-dried.

Preparation of Calcium Carbonate as Adsorbent. Kuhol shells were pounded to smaller particles using an
indigenous pounding stone. A mesh screen were used to separate the bigger particles until all were fine
particles.

Figure 1 Pulverized Kuhol Shells were washed thoroughly and set aside for drying

Figure 2 Pulverized Kuhol Shells were put in mesh screen to separate bigger particles
Preparation of Improvised Filter medium. Nine plastic bottles were collected. Each bottle will be cut
from its base. A hole at approximately 1 mm in diameter were punched on the base of each bottle. A
small piece of filter paper were cut and were place on the mouth of the first bottle fitted with the bottle
cap and at the bottom of each bottle . The materials to be used in the making of the improvised filter
medium were sterilized in hot water. A total of 9 columns will be made.

Figure 3 preparing the plastics for the filter medium

Figure 4 Weighing the Pulverized Kuhol Shells for the Making of the Filtering Medium

Filtering Medium of Calcium Carbonate “Kuhol” Shells

Water Sampling. Water samples were collected from the different sources of turbid water from
Barangay Data. The sampling bottles were washed with the water sample thrice. The bottles will be
filled with the water sample carefully. It should be noted that the bottles are completely filled and
contain no air. The water sample were got in the middle part of the sampling point in order to obtain a
representative sample. Precautions should be made in order not to contaminate the water sample with
any contaminants.

B. Selection of Subjects to Study

The researchers selected 5 sources of turbid water that usually becomes turbid during rainy seasons.

C. Experiment Proper

Filtration Procedure. Three hundred milliliters of the sample water or distilled water were placed slowly
and carefully in the filter columns without disturbing the calcium carbonate fine particles. One hundred
fifty milliliters of the filtrate were collected and were subjected to different test for the determination of
the efficiency of the alternative sand filters. This were repeated 5 times using the different water
samples. After the treatments, filtered results were collected in varying mass and were compared in the
control such as the distilled water.

Measuring 300 mL water sample ready for filtration

Putting up the Filter Medium in the stand

Filtration Proper in 30g Calcium Carbonate Filter Medium

Filtering Medium

Filtered Water compared to the turbid water

D. Turbidity

Turbidity of the water was determined by its quality based from its color which ranges from 1-Turbid, 2 -
Slightly Turbid, 3- Clear, 4- Slightly Clear, 5- Moderately Clear, 6 - Very Clear.

E. Qualitative Analysis

The data gathered were collected, tallied and assessed visually by comparing it with the distilled water.

RESULTS

Evaluation on the Effectiveness of Calcium Carbonate “Kuhol” Shells as Bio sand Filtering Medium
Effectiveness of Kuhol shells as bio sand filter medium were assessed by the following criteria.

1- Turbid

2- Slightly Turbid

3- Clear

4- Slightly Clear

5- Moderately Clear

6- Very Clear

Table 1. Effectiveness of “Kuhol” Shells with varying mass in the different water samples compared to
the control variable such as distilled water.

Water Samples 30g 40g 50g

T 1 Mabika Turbid Water 3 5 6

T 2 Patpatayan Turbid Water 3 5 6

T 3 Dadangtayan Turbid Water 3 5 6

T 4 Balaw Turbid Water 3 5 6

T 5 Gusing Turbid Water 3 5 6

Table 2. Effectivity of 30g Kuhol Shells

The efficiency of 30 g mass “Kuhol” shells shows a Clear Result.

Water Samples 30g Descriptive Assessment

T0 6 Very Clear

T1 3 Clear

T2 3 Clear

T3 3 Clear

T4 3 Clear

T5 3 Clear
Table 3. Effectivity of 40g Kuhol Shells

The efficiency of 40 g mass of Kuhol Shells showed Moderately Clear results.

Water Samples 40g Descriptive Assessment

T0 6 Very Clear

T1 5 Moderately Clear

T2 5 Moderately Clear

T3 5 Moderately Clear

T4 5 Moderately Clear

T5 5 Moderately Clear

Table 4. Effectivity of 50 g Kuhol Shells.

The efficiency of 50 g mass of “Kuhol” shells showed a Very Clear results.

Water Samples 50g Descriptive Assessment

T0 6 Very Clear

T1 6 Very Clear

T2 6 Very Clear

T3 6 Very Clear

T4 6 Very Clear

T5 6 Very Clear

DISCUSSIONS

The level of effectiveness of Calcium Carbonate Kuhol Shells as Bio sand filter medium.

Table 1 reveals the summary results of varying mass of Kuhol Shells as filtering medium with the
different sources of turbid water. The turbid water differ in turbidity thus its results differ. But we can
see its positive efficiency with the progress of the results.
Table 2 reveals that 30 g mass of Kuhol shells as bio sand filter medium yields a result of Clear filtered
water and Slightly Turbid Water with replicates 3 and 4. This implicates that 30 g mass of kuhol shells
cannot much filter a very turbid water that of replicates 3 and 4 but the rest with slight turbidity
employs a clear result.

Table 3 presents a result of slightly clear filtered water and moderately clear filtered water in 40 g of
Kuhol shells filter medium. The researcher observed that 40 g mass kuhol shells filters water depending
on the waters turbidity.

And,Table 4 shows 50 g mass of “Kuhol” shells filter medium which reveals a very clear result of filtered
water. Replicates 3 and 4 reveals a result of moderately clear filtered water which shows that the
filtering efficiency of “kuhol” shells depends on the water turbidity and the mass of kuhol shells. That,
increase mass of kuhol shells can filter a very turbid water that of replicates 3 and 4.

The researchers observed a positive efficiency of “Kuhol” shells as bio sand filter medium as shown in
the tabulated results. Furthermore, it was observed that an increase in mass of kuhol shells in the
filtering medium projects a better or clearer results of filtered water.

This results was supported by recent literatures that plant materials and even sea shells such as oyster
shells and mussel shells for water odor treatment (Abraham, S. ,2015), coconut shell (Ayub, S. 2013),
shrimp shell for dye removal (Rahman , 2016) and other materials are effective in treating different
parameters of wastewaters including those from sewages, mine drainages and domestic waters. Recent
researches states that shells can filter water wastes in ponds and seas. Divers Alert Network (n. d.)
mentioned that shellfish capture nutrients by filtering water.

SUMMARY

The study focused on the efficiency of calcium carbonate shells in the treatment of turbid water. It look
into the level of efficiency of Kuhol shells as bio sand filter on the treatment of turbid water in varying
mass of pulverized kuhol shells.

The study made use of qualitative descriptive method of study to find out that there is no significant
difference between the distilled water and the filtered water with varying mass of pulverized kuhol
shells.

Based on the data presented, analysed and interpreted, the study was able to come up with the relevant
findings. Findings shows that Calcium Carbonate Shells filtered results in 50 g mass of pulverized “Kuhol”
shells has no significant difference with that of distilled water. Calcium carbonate Kuhol shells showed a
significant difference of filtered results with varying mass as potential bio sand filter medium in the
treatment of turbid water. Thus, the null hypothesis is accepted.
CONCLUSIONS

Based on the above findings, it was then concluded that Calcium Carbonate “Kuhol” Shells is an effective
bio sand filter medium for turbid water as shown on the filtered results in 50 g mass of “Kuhol” shells
which has no significant difference with that of distilled water. Varying mass of “Kuhol” shells in the
filter medium shows the different efficiencies of “kuhol” shells as bio sand filter. Increase mass of kuhol
shells reveals a better filtering medium.

The qualitative descriptive study on the filtered results showed no significant difference in the filtered
water in 50g mass of “Kuhol” shells filtering medium with that of distilled water. And there is a
significant difference of efficiency of “Kuhol” shells as filtering medium with varying mass of pulverized
“kuhol” shells. Thus, null hypothesis is accepted.

RECOMMENDATIONS

In the light of this findings, further studies are recommended to further validate the result of the study.
The use of calcium carbonate shells as potential bio sand filtering medium is recommended in the
treatment of turbid water. Transfer technology regarding the preparation of calcium carbonate shells as
potential filtering medium should be undertaken. Similar studies should be conducted to determine the
effectiveness of calcium carbonate shells to the treatment of waste water. Use of PH meter and
turbidity meter are also recommended for better results of the project.

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