Electrocoagulation process for simultaneous nitrate and phosphate removal using parallel iron plates in the presence of organic pollutant: Optimization, kinetic study and energy consumption evaluation

Phosphorus and nitrogen are important mineral elements for organisms’ growth, but their presence in water at high levels can cause serious environmental problems, such as eutrophication (Tamme et al. in Nitrates and nitrites in vegetables: occurrence and health risks, bioactive foods in promoting health 2010; Darwish et al. in Agricu Water Manage 99:74–84, 2011; Ashley et al. in Chemosphere 84:737–746, 2011). This phenomenon is caused by excessive growth of algae and other plants, which can seriously affect the water quality and induce irreversible damage on plants and animals.