Surface Water Quality Assessment of Reservoir Systems and Low-Cost Adsorbent-Based Heavy Metal Removal: A Comprehensive Review with Special Reference to Phoenix dactylifera Stem-Derived Activated Charcoal
Abstract: Reservoir water quality degradation driven by industrial effluent, agricultural runoff, and domestic sewage is a pressing environmental challenge in developing nations, with heavy metal contamination- particularly chromium, lead, and iron - posing acute public health risks. This review critically synthesises the literature on: (i) physicochemical water quality parameters and Water Quality Index (WQI) assessment of Indian and global reservoirs; (ii) heavy metal contamination sources and health implications; (iii) adsorption theory, isotherm/kinetic modelling, and thermodynamics of heavy metal removal on activated carbon; and (iv) performance of Phoenix dactylifera (date palm) biomass-derived adsorbents. Findings are contextualised through the authors' primary research on Meja Dam, Bhilwara, Rajasthan- a municipal reservoir on the Kothari River impacted by the Bhilwara textile-industrial belt. Five research gaps are identified- absence of a peer-reviewed baseline for Meja Dam, under-utilisation of Phoenix dactylifera stem as an adsorbent precursor, lack of real-matrix validation, absence of direct comparison with commercial activated carbon, and uncharacterised regeneration stability- all addressed by the primary research. The review concludes with recommendations for biomass-derived adsorbents and integrated water quality management in textile-impacted reservoirs.
Keywords: Water Quality Index; Heavy metal contamination; Phoenix dactylifera; Activated charcoal; Adsorption isotherms; Langmuir model; Meja Dam; Bhilwara; Textile effluent; Sustainability
How to Cite?: Seema Somani, Umrav Singh Chouhan, "Surface Water Quality Assessment of Reservoir Systems and Low-Cost Adsorbent-Based Heavy Metal Removal: A Comprehensive Review with Special Reference to Phoenix dactylifera Stem-Derived Activated Charcoal", Volume 15 Issue 10, October 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 109-114, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26913124336, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26913124336