REMOVAL OF METHYLENE BLUE BY ACTIVATED CARBON BEADS AND AGRICULTURAL WASTE: A REVIEW

Methylene Blue (MB), commonly used cationic dye in industries such as textiles and printing, offers substantial environmental and health problems due to its toxicity, persistence, and carcinogenic potential. This review looks at the effectiveness of two adsorption-based techniques for MB removal.activated carbon beads and agricultural waste-derived adsorbents. Activated carbon beads, made from carbon-rich precursors like mangosteen peels and modified with alginate, have high adsorption capacities (up to 230 mg/g) and removal efficiencies of over 98% under ideal circumstances like pH 9.5 and ambient temperature. Agricultural wastes, such as Corn husks, rice husks, and grape wood, show promise as low-cost and sustainable alternatives, with removal efficiencies of 83-97% and adsorption capacities of up to 98 mg/g. This research investigates preparation methods, adsorption mechanisms, and the effects of various parameters such as pH, adsorbent dose, and contact time. A comparison analysis demonstrates the cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness of agricultural waste, as well as the higher performance of activated carbon beads. The review concludes with recommendations for improving adsorbent characteristics, filling research gaps, and scaling up these methods for industrial wastewater treatment.