Fly Ash based Zeolites for the Treatment of Colored Wastewater

Water is the mother of all living world, life originated in water and is sustained by water. Water is life but due to the advancement in industrialization, it has been spoiled to much extent. One of the most pressing environmental issues of the present and most probably in the future is the effective protection of the precious freshwater resources of the world. Around 4 billion people worldwide experience no or little access to clean and sanitized water supply, and millions of people died of severe waterborne diseases annually. These statistical figures are expected to grow in the short future, as increasing water contamination due to the overwhelming discharge of micropollutants and contaminants into the natural water cycle. Amongst these, colors are considered the most undesirable contaminants and are mainly caused by dyes. A large number of dyes are annually produced and utilized in different industries. Dyes even in low concentrations affect the aquatic life and the food web. Some dyes are carcinogenic and mutagenic. Therefore, the removal of these colored compounds from wastewater is utmost necessary before discharging it to the environment.