Fluoride Removal from Aqueous Solutions by a Carbonaceous Material from Pyrolysis of Sewage Sludge

Contact time, pH, fluoride concentration, and sorbent dose effects on the removal of fluoride ions by a carbonaceous material obtained from pyrolysis of sewage sludge (CM) were evaluated. Equilibrium was reached after 18?h of contact time and the maximum sorption was found at pH_eq?=?7.06?±?0.08, which corresponds to the zero charge point of the CM. The highest efficiency in the sorption system for fluoride removal (2.84?±?0.03?mg?F^?? $ g_{{CM}}^{{ - 1}} $ ) was found with 0.4?g_CM?L^?1 and with 20?g_CM?L^?1, 82.2?±?0.5% of fluoride was removed. The kinetic data of the process could be fitted to the pseudosecond order and the intraparticle mass transfer diffusion models, whereas isotherm to the Langmuir?CFreundlich equation. These results indicate that the mechanism is chemisorption on a heterogeneous material. Fluoride ions were best partially desorbed using a bicarbonate ions solution and the material was partially regenerated by using a solution of HCl (pH?=?1).     

Sorption and Desorption of Red 5 and Yellow 6 by a Fe-Zeolitic Tuff

The capacity of an iron-modified zeolite was evaluated for the removal of two dyes (red 5 and yellow 6) use in foodstuff; the regeneration of the dye-saturated materials was also considered. The zeolitic material (clynoptilolite type) was treated with sodium chloride (Na-Ze) and then with ferric chloride (Fe-Ze). The sorption kinetics and isotherms were evaluated, considering the effect of pH on the sorption processes. Sorption?Cregeneration cycles using iron-modified zeolitic material were performed. The sorption kinetics showed that the sodium-modified zeolitic material removed neither red 5 nor yellow 6 dyes, while the iron-modified zeolitic material removed both dyes; the equilibrium time was reached in 48?h for yellow 6, and it was almost reached in the same time for red 5, the removal percentage for red 5 was 89.4?% and for yellow 6 was 96.7?%. The experimental data showed best adjustment to the pseudo-first-order model (Lagergren), which is based on a superficial reaction. The sorption capacities obtained by the sorption isotherms were 1.6 and 1.7?mg/g for red 5 and yellow 6, respectively. The experimental data were best adjusted to the Langmuir?CFreundlich model which indicates that the sorption takes place on a heterogeneous material. It was also observed that the sorption capacities increase as the pH decreases. The results on the desorption processes showed that the best regenerator agent was Fenton??s reagent; the capacities increased in each sorption?Cregeneration cycle using this reagent; for the red 5, the sorption percentage was 73.6?% in the first cycle and 96.3?% in the third cycle and for yellow 6, the removal percentage was 66.7?% in the first cycle and 80.5?% in the second.     

Sorption Behavior of 4-Chlorophenol from Aqueous Solutions By a Surfactant-modified Mexican Zeolitic Rock in Batch and Fixed Bed Systems

The removal of 4-chlorophenol from aqueous solutions by both a Mexican clinoptilolite-heulandite zeolitic rock and the modified zeolitic material with the surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMABr), using batch and packed-bed (column) configurations, was investigated. The unmodified zeolitic rock did not show any adsorption of 4-chlorophenol. The effects of pH, contact time and concentration of 4-chlorophenol on the adsorption process by the surfactant modified material were examined. The sorption of 4-chlorophenol was not affected by the pH range from 4 to 9.5. 4-chlorophenol retention reached equilibrium in about 18 h and the rate of 4-chorophenol adsorption by the modified material was faster in the first 10 h than later. The experimental data were treated with the models: pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, fractional power and Elovich models. Although, the last three gave correlation coefficients higher than 0.96, the pseudo-second order model was the best to describe the reaction rate. The experimental data follow a linear isotherm which is characteristic for sorption of organic solutes by the partition mechanism. The Bed Depth-Service Time Model was applied to the sorption results in order to model the column operation. The results showed that the surfactant modified zeolitic rock could be considered as a potential adsorbent for 4-chlorophenol removal from aqueous solutions.     

Soil Organic Matter Quality and Zinc and Lead Sorption as Affected by a Sewage Sludge Or a Sewage Sludge Compost Application

Sewage sludge (SS) or sewage sludge compost (SSC) were applied to soil under controlled conditions, at rates of 0 or 200 Mg ha^?1, to investigate changes in dissolved organic matter (DOM), humic acids (HA), and Pb and Zn sorption in the soil. Infrared spectroscopy, visible spectrophotometry, and sorption isotherms (mono-metal and competitive sorption systems) methods were used to assess the changer. The E₄/E₆ ratio (λ at 465 / λ at 665 nm) and the infrared spectra of DOM and HA showed aromatic behaviour in compost-soil (SSC-S); in contrast sewage sludge-soil (SS-S) showed an aliphatic behaviour. Application of either SS or SSC increased the Pb and Zn sorption capacity of soil. The Pb and Zn sorption increased in soil and soil mixtures with a competitive metal system. The metal affinity sequence for soil, SS-S, and SSC-S was compared with the predicted affinity sequences obtained from metal properties. Poor correspondence was observed between the metal affinity sequence and the metal affinity sequence predicted by ionic potential, indicating that metals bonding to soils were not predominantly electrostatic. An affinity sequence based on Pearson's theory agreed with the metal affinity sequences for soils. A statistical analysis showed that the bands assigned to esters (1080 cm^?1) of DOM, phenolic OH (1420 cm^?1), amide I (1650 cm^?1), carboxyl and carbonyl C=O stretches of different nature, C=O stretch of aromatic esters, aliphatic cetone, aldehyde (1720 cm^?1), ethers and esters (1230 cm^?1), aliphatic alcohols (1125 cm^?1), and lignin (1380 cm^?1) of HA were correlated with Zn constants of Langmuir adsorption isotherm (P < 0.05).     

熟污泥改性黄土对镉的吸附解吸特征

使用序批实验方法,研究熟污泥改性黄土对镉(Cd)的吸附解吸特征。结果表明:Cd初始添加浓度大于20 mg/L,供试改性黄土对Cd的吸附等温线发生显著变化;Freundlich型吸附等温式是描述供试改性黄土对Cd吸附过程的最佳模型。各土样对Cd的解吸量与吸附量的关系可以用幂函数很好地描述。随着土样中熟污泥含量的增加,Cd的吸附固定作用增强。有机质成分是影响供试土样Cd固定能力最大的因素。     

Removal of Arsenic from Aqueous Solutions by Sorption onto Sewage Sludge-Based Sorbent

This study aimed at evaluating and comparing the removal of arsenic from solutions by a low-cost waste-based sorbent, produced by pyrolysing sewage sludge under appropriate conditions, and by a commercially activated carbon. Batch sorption experiments were performed under isothermal conditions (20°C), in order to evaluate the effect of pH on the arsenic sorption kinetics and on the equilibrium sorption capacity of the materials under study. Kinetic data revealed that the arsenic sorption was faster onto the activated carbon than onto the pyrolysed sludge. The sorption process was well described by both the pseudo-first and pseudo-second-order kinetics equations for both materials. Changes in the initial solution pH have distinct effects on the removal of arsenic onto pyrolysed sludge and activated carbon. While for pyrolysed sludge, pH affects essentially the equilibrium time, for activated carbon it affects the sorption capacity. Equilibrium results were well described by both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models, although fittings corresponding to the Langmuir isotherm were slightly better. The Langmuir maximum sorption capacity determined for the pyrolysed sludge was 71???g?g^?1, while for activated carbon was 229???g?g^?1. Despite the relative lower capacity of the pyrolysed sludge, the considerable lower cost and the valorisation of the sludge may justify further research on its use for water decontamination.     

Cadmium Sorption and Desorption Characteristics of Tropical Alfisols from Different Land Uses

Cadmium (Cd) sorption and desorption characteristics by Alfisols from different land uses were examined, and the relationships between soil and sorption/desorption characteristics were investigated. Adsorption studies were done using Cd concentrations (0–100 mg Cd kg^?1) in 0.01 M CaCl₂. The Cd sorbed by the soils was then subjected to two desorption runs. The soils' adsorption conformed to Freundlich and Langmuir equations. The amount of Cd sorbed by the soils varied. Two desorption runs detached more than 95% of sorbed Cd, but the first accounted for more than 80% of the total. Desorption of Cd in degraded soils was more than in soils from other land uses. The amount of Cd desorbed correlated with amount applied (r = 0.90??), solution concentration (r = 0.83??), and amount sorbed (r = 0.70??). A positive relationship exists between the adsorption maxima of the soils and soil organic matter (r = 0.13, p = 0.87). The relationship between amount of Cd desorbed and sorbed is quadratic for all the soil.     

Comparison of Sewage Sludge and Yard Waste Compost As Biofilter Material for Ammonia Removal

Sewage sludge compost and yard waste compost were compared with respect to their efficiency as biofilter material for removing ammonia from air. Ammonia removal efficiency was investigated using both small-scale filter columns in the laboratory and large-scale filter columns operated at a pig farm. The laboratory experiments were carried out using 30 cm high columns with a volume of 250 cm³ supplied with an artificially produced ammonia-air mixture, whereas 1 m columns with a volume of 27 liters supplied with the ambient air from the pig stable were used in the large-scale experiments. All filter columns were able to remove more than 95% of the ammonia in the inlet regardless of compost type and applied air flow rate. Ammonia concentration profiles inside the compost columns measured at the end of the experiments indicated that sewage sludge compost removes ammonia at significantly higher specific rates than yard waste compost. The likely explanation is that sewage sludge compost contains higher numbers of nitrifying bacteria originating from the wastewater treatment process.     

Effects of Oxalate and Humic Acid on Arsenate Sorption by and Desorption from a Chinese Red Soil

Studies on arsenate (As(V)) sorption and desorption have been mainly limited to soil minerals and sorption and desorption reactions in whole soils are poorly understood. In this study the sorption of As(V) by and phosphate-induced desorption from a Chinese red soil were studied in the presence of oxalate and humic acid (HA). Arsenate was strongly sorbed mainly through ligand exchange reactions on the soil. Arsenate sorption decreased in the presence of oxalate or HA. Oxalate and HA influenced As(V) sorption mainly by competing for sorption sites and reducing sorption sites, and oxalate could also decrease sorption through dissolving clay minerals. Oxalate and HA could also facilitate As(V) desorption from the soil. Both sorption and desorption kinetics were two stage processes. Sorption kinetics conducted from 0.2–840 h showed that As(V) sorption increased with increasing residence time. Sorption equilibrium was retarded and the maximum sorption decreased in the presence of oxalate or HA. Phosphate-induced desorption kinetics conducted on the soil with 24 h and 840 h of sorption equilibrium time showed a significant effect of equilibrium time on As(V) desorption. The presence of oxalate or HA during the sorption process resulted in more As(V) desorption. Due to the degradation of oxalate, soil treated with oxalate and with a sorption equilibrium time of 840 h showed no significant difference in desorption kinetics from untreated soil.     

Nature and Origin of Lipids in Clay Fractions from a Fluvisol in a Sewage Sludge Deposition Field

Few studies on free lipids in total solvent extracts from soil clay fractions directly measured by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) have been reported so far. In this study, we aimed to examine the free lipids in the clay fraction separated from a Fluvisol profile on which sewage sludge was deposited 6 years ago and provide information on the sources, diagenetic processes and organic pollutants derived from the sludge. Clay fractions were separated from the four horizons of a Fluvisol and analysed for the biochemically stable lipid pool. The GC/MS analysis of the lipid fraction showed that lipid signatures were dominated by alkanes (C₁₇–C₃₃), alkanoic acids (C₁₂–C₁₈), alkanols (C₁₄–C₃₀), aromatic acids and phthalate esters. Sources of lipids show predominant bacterial contribution as shown by the alkane, fatty acids and n-alkanol distributions. The preservation of lipids of microbial origin in the clay fraction was revealed by the presence of even number, branched alkanes and short-chain and branched fatty acids. These results imply that similar pedogenic processes took place in this soil profile affected by hydromorphic conditions with some quantitative changes in the clay lipid compositions between different soil horizons. Some aromatic acids and xenobiotics such as phthalates were detected in the lipid extracts of the clay fractions in depth (0–85 cm) of the soil profile, which has implications for pollution of soils and ground waters in situations of sewage sludge deposition.     

Enhancement of Solubility and Biohydrogen Production from Sewage Sludge with Lime Mud Filtrate

This work has been performed to investigate the use of lime mud filtrate (LMF) pretreatment to enhance hydrogen (H₂) evolution from sewage sludge (SS). The SS samples were pretreated with LMF (pH 8.0–11.0) at 55 °C for 48 h, prior to the H₂ fermentation. The maximum H₂ yield of 38.30 ml/g-VS (volatile solid) was obtained from the SS pretreated by LMF pH of 10.0, with the corresponding lag time of 3.10 h, which was well described by the modified Gompertz model. Adequate pH of LMF facilitated the solubilization of SS and the release of organic matters, providing adequate substrates for subsequent bio-H₂ evolution. The soluble chemical oxygen demand was increased from 25.0 to 91.7%, as compared with the control test without LMF soak. However, further increase in pH of LMF could decrease the concentration of available substrate, thus reducing the H₂ yield. This technique revealed sustainable waste management and energy recovery.     

Simultaneous Sorption of Cd,Cu, Ni,Zn, Pb,and Cr on Soils Treated with Sewage Sludge Supernatant

Disposal of sewage sludge creates the potential for heavy metal accumulation in theenvironment. This study assessed nine soils currently used as Dedicated Land Disposal units(DLDs) for treatment and disposal of municipal sewage sludge in the vicinity of Sacramento,California. Adsorption characteristics of these soils for Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, and Cr were studiedby simultaneously mixing these elements in the range of 0-50 µmol L-1 with sludgesupernatant and reacting with the soil using a soil:supernatant ratio of 1:30, pH = 4.5 or 6.5, andconstant ionic strength (0.01 M Na-acetate). The concentration of metals in the supernatant wasdetermined after a 24 hr equilibration period. Adsorption isotherms showed that metal sorptionwas linearly related to its concentration in the supernatant solution. The distribution coefficientKd (Kd = concentration on solid phase/concentration in solution phase) was computed as theslope of the sorption isotherm. The distribution coefficients were significantly correlated to soilorganic matter content for Ni, Cu, Cd, and Pb at pH 4.5 and for Ni, Cu, Zn, and Cd at pH 6.5.There was also a correlation between Kd and soil specific surface area but no relationship to othersoil properties such as CEC, clay content, and noncrystalline Fe and Al materials. Therefore, soilorganic carbon and surface area appear to be the most important soil properties influencing metaladsorption through formation of organo-metal complexes. The Kd values for all elements werehigher at pH 6.5 than at 4.5. Selectivity between metals resulted in the following metal affinitiesbased on their Kd values: Pb>Cu>Zn>Ni>Cd≈Cr at pH 4.5 andPb>Cu≈Zn>Cd>Ni>Cr at pH 6.5.     

Removal of Remazol Brilliant Blue Dye from Dye-Contaminated Water by Adsorption Using Red Mud: Equilibrium, Kinetic, and Thermodynamic Studies

Utilization of industrial solid wastes for the treatment of wastewater from another industry could help environmental pollution abatement, in solving both solid waste disposal as well as liquid waste problems. Red mud (RM) is a waste product in the production of alumina and it poses serious pollution hazard. The present paper focuses on the possibility of utilization of RM as an adsorbent for removal of Remazol Brilliant Blue dye (RBB), a reactive dye from dye-contaminated water. Adsorption of RBB, from dye-contaminated water was studied by adsorption on powdered sulfuric acid-treated RM. The effect of initial dye concentration, contact time, initial pH, and adsorbent dosage were studied. Langmuir isotherm model has been found to represent the equilibrium data for RBB?CRM adsorption system better than Freundlich model. The adsorption capacity of RM was found to be 27.8?mg dye/g of adsorbent at 40?°C. Thermodynamic analysis showed that adsorption of RBB on acid-treated RM is an endothermic reaction with ?H ⁰ of 28.38?kJ/mol. The adsorption kinetics is represented by second-order kinetic model and the kinetic constant was estimated to be 0.0105?±?0.005?g/mg?min. Validity of intra-particle diffusion kinetic model suggested that among the mass transfer processes during the dye adsorption process, pore diffusion is the controlling step and not the film diffusion. The process can serve dual purposes of utilization of an industrial solid waste and the treatment of liquid waste.     

Biochar from Different Carbonaceous Waste Materials: Ecotoxicity and Effectiveness in the Sorption of Metal(loid)s

In this study, biochar produced by pyrolysis of urban pruning wood (Bpw) and sewage sludge (Bss) were characterized and investigated as adsorbents for the removal of Cu(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), and As(V) from contaminated solutions. Both types of biochars showed different physical-chemical properties and metal(loid) content. In Bss, Cu, Zn, and Pb concentrations exceeded the upper limit of the common ranges in soils. However, when they were tested for their effect on soil invertebrates, neither of the biochar was expected to exert negative effects as long as the dose applied as an amendment was ≤?4.8 t ha^?1. For an assessment of the effectiveness of biochar in the immobilization of metal(loid)s, three contaminated solutions with acidic pH and different pollutant concentrations were added to both types of biochar. Precipitation as oxy-hydroxides and the formation of complexes with active functional groups of the organic matter were the main mechanisms of metal(loid) fixation by the biochar, with increased precipitation and a rising pH. Both types of biochar were effective at immobilizing Pb and Cu, while Zn showed less effectiveness in this regard and As the least. The high P content of the biochar from sewage sludge favored Pb fixation, presumably forming complexes with phosphates, while competition between phosphate and arsenate ions decreased As adsorption by Fe compounds. The metal(loid)s immobilized by biochar from urban pruning wood were more bioavailable than those fixed by biochar from sewage sludge.     

Sorption and Fractionation of Copper in Soil at a Sewage Irrigation Farm in Australia

Abstract

Copper (Cu) is an important heavy metal to be considered in soil contamination, because high concentrations of copper in soil produce toxic effects and may accumulate in plant tissues. In Australia's oldest sewage irrigation farm, located in Werribee, Victoria, soil in the land filtration area is contaminated by Cu. However, Cu content in herbage tissues is in the normal range and has been trending downward since 1979. Therefore, studies on the sorption capacity and sequential extraction of Cu in soil at the Werribee Farm is of significance, not only for better understanding the mechanism of transport, chemical processes, and plant uptake of Cu, but also in providing information for the practical management of sewage farm soils. Methods of combining sorption isotherms with sequential extraction procedures were adopted, and the results showed that the soil in the land filtration area at Werribee Farm has a high sorption capacity for Cu, and distribution coefficients, K_f of Cu, were 629 L kg^?1 in surface soils (0–20 cm) and 335 L kg^?1 in subsurface soils (20–40 cm). The sequential extraction fractions demonstrate that exchangeable and carbonate fractions are very low, only comprising 3.49 to 5.49% of total copper. The other fractions are also discussed. This characteristic of Cu in soil is related to the low concentration of Cu in plant tissues.     

Leaching of Metals from Oxidising Sulphide Mine Tailings with and without Sewage Sludge Application

A 20-month column experiment investigated leaching of Al, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb during sulphide oxidation in mine tailings with and without sewage sludge (SS) amendment. Leachate pH decreased gradually in all columns during the experiment, irrespective of treatment, due to sulphide oxidation. As the degree of sulphide oxidation, and thus the pH trajectory, differed between replicates (n?=?3), running data for each column used are reported separately and the relationships between sulphide oxidation, metal leaching and treatment in each column compared. Mean pH in the columns correlated negatively with total amounts of leached SO₄ ^2-. In the beginning of the experiment the leachate concentrations of Al, Cu, Zn, Ni and Pb were higher in SS-treated columns due to high initial concentrations of dissolved organic carbon. As leaching proceeded, however, the amounts of Al, Cu, Mn and Ni leached from the columns were closely related to the degree of sulphide oxidation in each column, i.e. to its mean pH. There were no statistically significant differences between treatments regarding the total amounts of metals leached and thus addition of sewage sludge to the tailings appeared to play a minor role for metal leaching patterns. Peak concentrations of Al and Cu in the leachate from untreated tailings and of Zn in the leachate from both untreated and SS-treated tailings at pH 4 exceeded national background values for groundwater.     

Ceramic Aggregate Sorption and Desorption Chemistry: Implications for Use as a Component of Soilless Media

Ceramic aggregates (Turface® and Profile®) are common soilless media components, but their sorption/desorption chemistry is poorly understood. We investigated: labile (readily desorb-able or readily plant-available) ion concentrations; the effect of rinsing and soaking pretreatments on labile ions; sorption of applied nutrients; and nutrient uptake from the aggregates by plants. Variability in labile ions was extremely high among bags of aggregates. Manganese, boron, magnesium, calcium, sulfur and potassium were most likely to desorb in excess for plants. Phosphorus, iron, copper and zinc were sorbed by the aggregates; only copper was found nearly deficient in plant tissue. Rinsing and soaking pretreatments adjusted labile ions to more suitable concentrations for plants. However, growth data suggested a worst-case scenario of high levels of labile ions may not be mitigated by these pretreatments. With frequent leaching after planting or where the aggregates are a minor component of media, excessive nutrient uptake would likely be limited.     

Utilization of Wastes from the Coke-Chemical Production and Sewage Sludge as Additives in the Brick-Clay

Current modern building technologies use a greater variety of building materials and elements of these. Lately, intensive work has been done on investigating possibilities for using different wastes as additives in the production of new ceramic building products. This demonstrates that the raw material base can be enlarged and some environmental problems solved.The present work investigates the possibility of combined utilization of sludge from the Sofia wastewater treatment plant and waste products from coke-chemical production as additives to brick clay. The most appropriate combinations and concentrations of the materials used, and the means of preparing and firing the brick masses are determined. The strength characteristics of the resulting products are studied. The results obtained are useful in showing possibilities for the solution of environmental problems.     

Characterization of Dissolved Organic Matter from Sewage Sludge using 3D-Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Chemometric Tools

The aim of the present article is to show the possibilities of chemometric tools and the parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) model, as well as to understand the complexities of the fluorescence emission-excitation matrix (EEM) of water-soluble organic matter (WSOM) extracted from sewage sludge samples obtained with different origins and stabilization procedures. The variation in the composition of WSOM in the different sewage sludge samples could be correlated with the conditions of stabilization; therefore, the use of fluorescence spectroscopy to monitor these changes can be a useful tool to optimize the management of this residual flux, avoiding environmental pollution. However, the “contour density” EEM maps obtained with fluorescence present continuous spectra with different peaks, valleys, and shoulders where manual peak picking can be complicated and subjective, especially in complex matrixes such as sewage sludge. With the PARAFAC algorithm, it is possible to resolve the emission and excitation spectra of the different fluorescence components present in the samples and their contribution to the total fluorescence. Also, the contribution (scores) of the different fluorophors can be coupled with another chemometric tool to provide an effective classification method using the stabilization conditions of sewage sludge as main criterion. In this study, a wide survey of sewage sludge samples (287) was characterized by fluorescence emission-excitation matrix. The final molecular composition of the sewage sludge samples was not related to the stabilization (aerobic vs anaerobic) treatments. However, a sewage sludge classification based on a combined spectroscopic-chemometric approach was obtained, which could be used for the optimization of sewage sludge use in agriculture, minimizing the environmental risks.     

污泥对赤红壤坡地磷素随地表径流流失的影响

在人工模拟降雨条件下,研究了污泥施用量对赤红壤坡地磷随径流流失的影响.结果表明,污泥撒施1d后的径流中混匀样总磷(MTP)、静置样总磷(STP)、颗粒态总磷(TPP)、悬浮态总磷(TSP)和可溶性总磷(TDP)浓度均达到峰值.撒施(60 t/hm~2)对应峰值分别为4.22,1.58,3.84,1.20,0.38 mg/L.为撒施(120 t/hm~2)对应峰值的40%～96.8%,此后撒施径流磷索浓度呈递减趋势,施用量引起的撤施径流磷素浓度差异逐渐变小.模拟试验期内,随污泥用量的增加,撒施径流磷素平均浓度不同程度随之升高.但撒施径流磷素流失量未必随之升高;污泥用量对穴施径流磷索浓度和流失量无明显影响.撒施径流46.0%～67.8%MTP和62.2%～74.6%STP流失量发生在污泥施用前期(1d和18d)径流中.MTP径流流失系数依次为撒施(60t/hm~2)>撒施(120t/hm~2)>穴施(120t/hm~2)>穴施(60t/hm~2).颗粒态磷是磷随径流流失的主要形式.