Removal of Pb(II), Cr(III) and Cr(VI) from Aqueous Solutions Using Alum-Derived Water Treatment Sludge

The sorption of Pb(II), Cr(III) and Cr(VI) from aqueous solution using alum-derived water treatment sludge was investigated using the batch adsorption technique. Samples of sludge from two separate water treatment plants were used (one where alum was used alone and one where it was used in combination with activated C). The sorption characteristics of the two samples were generally very similar. Sorption isotherm data for all three ions fitted equally well to both Freundlich and Langmuir equations. Maximum sorption capacity and indices of sorption intensity both followed the order: Cr(III)?>?Pb(II)?>?Cr(VI). Kinetic data correlated well with a pseudo-second-order kinetic model suggesting the process involved was chemisorption. Sorption was pH-dependant with percentage sorption of Cr(III) and Pb(II) increasing from <30% to 100% between pH?3 and 6 whilst that of Cr(VI) declined greatly between pH?5 and 8. HNO₃ at a concentration of 0.1?M was effective at removing sorbed Cr(III) and Pb(II) from the sludge surfaces and regeneration was successful for eight sorption/removal cycles. It was concluded that water treatment sludge is a suitable material from which to develop a low-cost adsorbent for removal of Cr and Pb from wastewater streams.     

Combined Removal of Zinc (II) and Cadmium (II) from Aqueous Solutions by Adsorption onto High-Calcium Turkish Fly Ash

The aim of this work is the investigation of possible use of flyash in the removal of zinc (Zn²⁺) and cadmium (Cd²⁺) contained in aqueous solutions. Batch adsorption experiments wereperformed in order to evaluate the removal efficiency oflignite-based fly ash. The parameters studied include contact time, pH,temperature, initial concentration of the adsorbate and fly ashdosage. The contact time necessary to attain equilibrium was found to be two hours. Maximum adsorption occurred in the pH range of 7.0 to 7.5. The percent adsorption of Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ increased with an increase in concentration of Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺, dosage of fly ash and temperature. Theapplicability of Langmuir isotherm suggests the formation ofmonolayer coverage Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions at the outer surface of the adsorbent. Thermodynamic parameters suggested the endothermic nature of the adsorption process. The fly ashwas found to be an metal adsorbent as effective as activated carbon.     

Biosorption of Chromium (III) and Chromium (VI) by Untreated and Pretreated Cassia fistula Biomass from Aqueous Solutions

The present study explained the effect of pretreatments on the biosorption of Cr (III) and Cr (VI) by Cassia fistula biomass from aqueous solutions. For this purpose Cassia fistula biomass was pretreated physically by heating, autoclaving, boiling and chemically with sodium hydroxide, formaldehyde, gluteraldehyde, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, commercial laundry detergent, orthophosphoric, sulphuric acid, nitric acid, and hydrochloric acid. The adsorption capacity of biomass for Cr (III) and Cr (VI) was found to be significantly improved by the treatments of gluteraldehyde (95.41 and 96.21 mg/g) and benzene (85.71 and 90.81 mg/g) respectively. The adsorption capacity was found to depend on pH, initial metal concentration, dose, size, kinetics, and temperature. Maximum adsorption of both the Cr (III) and Cr (VI) was observed at pH 5 and 2. When Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms were tested, the latter had a better fit with the experimental data. The kinetic studies showed that the sorption rates could be described better by a second order expression than by a more commonly applied Lagergren equation.     

Adsorptive Removal of Chromium(VI) from Aqueous Solution by an Agricultural Waste-Based Activated Carbon

Activated carbon was prepared from an agricultural waste, coconut coir, and its characteristics were compared with that of a commercial bituminous coal-based activated carbon. The activated carbon possessed higher surface area, micropore area, micropore volume and average pore diameter, and well-developed meso- and micropores. Batch test on adsorption of chromium(VI) by the coconut coir activated carbon showed that the extent of chromium(VI) adsorption was dependent on chromium(VI) concentration, contact time, pH and activated carbon dose. Maximum adsorption occurred at pH 1.0–2.0 and equilibrium adsorption was attained in 2.5 h. Chromium(VI) adsorption followed pseudo second-order kinetics. Equilibrium chromium(VI) adsorption data for the coconut coir activated carbon and the commercial activated carbon were described by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models and indicated higher chromium(VI) adsorption capacity of the coconut coir activated carbon. Chromium(VI) adsorption capacity of the coconut coir activated carbon was compared with that of activated carbon prepared from different waste material and bituminous coal. The coconut coir activated carbon showed high limiting capacity for adsorption of chromium(VI). Coconut coir activated carbon is a suitable substitute for commercial activated carbon in the adsorptive removal of chromium(VI) from water.     

Sorption of Copper(II) from Aqueous Solution by Peat

The use of peat for removal of copper(II) from aqueous solution has been investigated at various initial copper ion concentrations and masses of peat. The equilibrium sorption study can be described by the Langmuir equation and defined in terms of the operating lines for each batch contacting system. The mechanisms of the rate of sorption of copper(II) were analysed using the Elovich equation and a pseudo-second-order model. Both rate mechanisms provided a very high degree of correlation of the experimental sorption rate data suggesting either model could be used in design applications.     

Sawdust: Cost Effective Scavenger for the Removal of Chromium(III) Ions from Aqueous Solutions

Cr(III) ions sorption onto sawdust of spruce (Picea smithiana) has been studied thoroughly using radiotracer technique. Maximum sorption (94%) of Cr(III) ions (8.98×10^?5 M) onto sorbent surface is achieved from deionized water in 20 min agitation time using 200 mg of sawdust. The sorption data followed the Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) and Langmuir isotherms. Freundlich constants l/n = 0.86 ± 0.07 and C _e = 85.0 ± 25.8 mmole g^?1 have been estimated. Sorption capacity, X _m = 0.82± 0.3 mmole g^?1, β = ?0.00356± 0.00017 kJ² mole^?2 and energy, E = 11.9± 0.3 kJ mole^?1 have been evaluated using D-R isotherm. The Langmuir constants Q = 5.8± 0.2 μmole g^?1 and b = (7.4± 0.5)×10⁴ dm³ mole^?1 have been calculated. The variation of sorption with temperature yields thermodynamic parameters Δ H = ?11.6± 0.3 kJ mole^?1, Δ S = ?16.2± 0.9 J mole^?1 K^?1 and Δ G = ?6.8± 0.3 kJ mole^?1 at 298 K. The negative value of enthalpy and free energy reflect the exothermic and spontaneous nature of sorption respectively. Among the anions studied oxalate, citrate, carbonate and borate have reduced the sorption. The cations Y(III), Ce(II) and Ca(II) suppressed sorption. The sawdust column can be used to separate Cr(III) ion from Cs(I), I(I),Tc (VII) and Se (IV).     

Kinetic and Equilibrium Modeling for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) Removal from Aqueous Solutions by Citrus reticulata Waste Biomass

The pulp left after the extraction of juice from Citrus reticulate (kinnow), is a waste material, which was used as a potential sorbent for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in the present study. The effect of experimental parameters such as pH, biosorbent dosage, biosorbent particle size, initial metal concentrations, temperature, shaking speed and sorption time on the Cr removal is apparent from the obtained results. The Freundlich isotherm and pseudo second order kinetic models fitted well to the data of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) biosorption by Citrus reticulata waste biomass. Effect of several pretreatments such as gases, natural coagulant and many other chemicals on Cr(III) and Cr(VI) sorption capacity of Citrus reticulata waste biomass was first time analyzed in the present study. The metal sorption capacity of Citrus reticulata waste biomass after a specific pretreatment was not only related to the nature of chemical but also strongly dependent on the oxidation state of the metal.     

Removal of Uranium(VI), Lead(II) at the Surface of TiO2 Nanotubes Studied by X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

A thin film of well-ordered anatase TiO₂ nanotubes prepared by anodic oxidation of titanium metal were synthesised and used as adsorbent medium for the purification of water from aqueous uranium and lead. The amount of subtracted metal ions was quantified by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at the surface of the reacted TiO₂ surface. Batch experiments for the sorption of U and Pb at the surface of the titania substrate were carried out in separated solution equilibrated with air of uranyl acetate and lead nitrate, in the pH range 3?C9. For uranium, the experiments were also repeated in anoxic (N₂) atmosphere. The amount of metal ions adsorbed onto the titania medium was quantified by measurements of the surface coverage expressed in atomic percent, by recording high-resolution XPS spectra in the Ti2p, U4f and Pb4f photoelectron regions. Adsorption of the uranyl species in air atmosphere as a function of pH showed an adsorption edge near pH 4 with a maximum at pH 7. At higher pH the presence of very stable uranyl?Ccarbonate complexes prevented any further adsorption. Further adsorption increased until pH 8.5 was obtained when the uranyl solution was purged from dissolved CO₂. Lead ion showed a sorption edge at pH 6, with a maximum uptake at pH 8. The results showed that the uptake of uranium and lead on the selected titania medium is remarkably sensitive to the solution pH. This study demonstrates the reliability of this type of material for treating water polluted with heavy metals as well as leachates from radioactive nuclear wastes.     

Fluoride Removal from Aqueous Solutions by Boehmite

Boehmite was used for the removal of fluoride ions from aqueous solutions in a batch system. The pH, contact time, and fluoride concentration in the removal of fluoride ions by boehmite were evaluated. The removal of fluoride ions by boehmite was the highest between the pH values of 4.5 and 7.5. The kinetic fluoride sorption from aqueous solutions by boehmite was best described by the pseudo-second-order model, and equilibrium was reached in about 24 h. The Freundlich model described the isotherm sorption process; the results indicate that the sorption mechanism is chemisorption on a heterogeneous material.     

Removal of Copper and Cadmium Ions from Diluted Aqueous Solutions by Low Cost and Waste Material Adsorbents

The sorption of copper and cadmium ions using activated carbon,kaolin, bentonite, diatomite and waste materials such as compost,cellulose pulp waste and anaerobic sludge as sorbents is reported. Equilibrium isotherms were obtained for the adsorption of these metals in single and binary solutions. Bentonite presented the highest adsorption capacities for both copper and cadmium. A competitive uptake was observed when both metals are present; copper being preferentially adsorbed by all materials with theexception of anaerobic sludge. Equilibrium data were fitted toLangmuir and Freundlich models, with satisfactory results for most of the adsorbent-metal systems studied.Of all the adsorbents studied, bentonite and compost presentedthe highest removal efficiencies, reaching 99% for copper whencadmium is also present, for initial solution concentrations ofup to 100 mg L^-1. Anaerobic sludge has a greater preferencefor cadmium, even in the presence of copper, with removal efficiencies of 98% for similar concentrations to those mentioned above.     

Chromium (VI) Retrieval from Chromium Ore Processing Residues by Electrokinetic Treatment

Electrokinetics (EK) was investigated as a possible technique for in-situ treatment of leachable chromium at a built site contaminated with chromium ore processing residues (COPR). A preliminary EK experiment was carried out at the laboratory scale on an undisturbed COPR core sample. Methods applied for material and pore water characterization before and after EK treatment addressed physical aspects by laser diffraction granulometry, pycnometry and pore water content, mineralogical aspects by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and chemical aspects by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy and atomic absorption spectroscopy for elemental composition, spectrophotometry for Cr(VI) analysis, and potentiometry for pH determination. EK was run at 1 V/cm with no external constraints on current intensity. The EK experiment reached an extraction of 72% of the total leachable Cr(VI) after only 10 days of treatment and 84% after 20 days. Material texture, composition, and pH remained similar. These results indicate that EK presents a potential solution for extracting leachable Cr(VI) from COPR sites. The impounded COPR material appeared to be heterogeneous in composition at all scales, from field to lab sample, adding to the challenge of in-situ treatment.     

Removal of Zn from Aqueous Solutions by Low-Rank Coal

The ability of an immature coal (leonardite) to remove zincfrom aqueous solutions was studied as a function of pH,contact time and concentration of metal solutions.Effective removal of Zn²⁺ was demonstrated at pHvalues of 5–6. Kinetic study showed that the adsorption ofZn²⁺ occurs in two phases: a rapid phase followed by aquasi-equilibrium state attained within the first twohours. The adsorption isotherm was measured at 25 °C, using adsorptive solutions at the optimum pH value todetermine the adsorption capacity.     

Lead (II) Removal from Aqueous Solution by Spent Agaricus bisporus: Determination of Optimum Process Condition Using Taguchi Method

In this paper, Taguchi method was applied to determine the optimum condition for Pb (II) removal from aqueous solution by spent Agaricus bisporus. An orthogonal array experiment design (L₉(3⁴) which is of four control factors (pH, t (contact time), m (sorbent mass), and C ₀ (initial Pb (II) concentration)) having three levels was employed. Biosorption capacity (mg metal/g biosorbent) and percent removal (%) were investigated as the quality characteristics to be optimized. In order to determine the optimum levels of the control factors precisely, range analysis and analysis of variance were performed. The optimum condition for biosorption capacity was found to be pH?=?5.00, t?=?5.0 h, m?=?0.010 g, and C ₀?=?50 mg/L. And for percent removal, the optimum condition was found to be pH?=?4.00, t?=?4.0 h, m?=?0.100 g, and C ₀?=?50 mg/L. Under these optimum conditions, biosorption capacity and percent removal can reach 60.76 mg/g and 80.50%, respectively.     

铁铝柱撑膨润土组成特征及其磷吸附性能研究

利用天然膨润土合成了铁柱撑膨润土（Fe1-Mt、Fe10-M）t、羟基铁膨润土（FeOx-M）t、羟基铝膨润土（AlOx-M）t和羟基铝铁膨润土复合体（AlFe-M）t,对其化学组成和矿物组成等特征进行分析,比较了5种不同铁铝柱撑膨润土对磷污染水体的吸附净化性能,并通过等温吸附试验探讨了柱撑膨润土对磷的吸附机制。结果发现,不同铁铝柱撑均可以增加天然膨润土的层间距,其中以羟基铝铁膨润土复合体的层间距增加最明显,与原土相比增加约为2倍。5种不同铁铝柱撑均能显著增强膨润土对磷污染水体的吸附净化能力,其中以FeOx-Mt的理论磷吸附容量最大,为12.03mg.g-1,其次为Fe10-Mt、AlFe-Mt和AlOx-Mt,吸附等温曲线同时符合Freundlich方程和Langmuir方程,均达显著水平。结果表明,除膨润土层间距外,不同铁铝柱撑膨润土的磷吸附能力主要与铁铝氧化物的含量及铁的存在形态相关。     

Highly Efficient Removal of Cu(II) from Aqueous Solution by Using Graphene Oxide

Chemical reagents used by the textile industry are very diverse in their composition, ranging from inorganic compounds to polymeric compounds. Strong color is the most notable characteristic of textile effluents, and a large number of processes have been employed for color removal. In recent years, attention has been directed toward various natural solid materials that are able to remove pollutants from contaminated water at low cost, such as sugarcane bagasse. Cell immobilization has emerged as an alternative that offers many advantages in the biodegradation process, including the reuse of immobilized cells and high mechanical strength, which enables metabolic processes to occur under adverse conditions of pH, sterility, and agitation. Support treatment also increases the number of charges on the surface, thereby facilitating cell immobilization processes through adsorption and ionic bonds. Polyethyleneimine (PEI) is a polycationic compound known to have a positive effect on enzyme activity and stability. The aim of the present study was to investigate a low-cost alternative for the biodegradation and bioremediation of textile dyes, analyzing Saccharomyces cerevisiae immobilization in activated bagasse for the promotion of Acid Black 48 dye biodegradation in an aqueous solution. A 1 % concentration of a S. cerevisiae suspension was evaluated to determine cell immobilization rates. Once immobilization was established, biodegradation assays with free and immobilized yeast in PEI-treated sugarcane bagasse were evaluated for 240 h using UV–vis spectrophotometry. The analysis revealed significant relative absorbance values, indicating the occurrence of biodegradation in both treatments. Therefore, S. cerevisiae immobilized in sugarcane bagasse is very attractive for use in biodegradation processes for the treatment of textile effluents.     

Zinc Removal from the Aqueous Solutions by the Chemically Modified Biosorbents

Biosorbents are the natural origin adsorbents, which popularity in environmental engineering is steadily increasing due to their low price, ease of acquisition, and lack of the toxic properties. Presented research aimed to analyze the possibility of chemical modification of the straw, which is a characteristic waste in the Polish agriculture, to improve its biosorption properties with respect to removal of selected metals from aquatic solutions. Biosorbents used during the tests was a barley straw that was shredded to a size in the range of 0.2–1.0 mm. The biosorption process was performed for aqueous solutions of zinc at a pH 5. Two different modifications of straw were analyzed: esterification with methanol and modification using the citric acid at elevated temperature. The results, obtained during the research, show a clear improvement in sorption capacity of the straw modified by the citric acid. In the case of straw modified with methanol, it has been shown that the effectiveness of zinc biosorption process was even a twice lower with respect to the unmodified straw. Moreover, it was concluded that the removal of analyzed metals was based mainly on the ion-exchange adsorption mechanism by releasing a calcium and magnesium ions from the straw surface to the solution.

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