Prediction of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene natural attenuation in groundwater at a landfill in Kaifeng,China

1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (1,2,4-TCB) is one of the most common pollutants in landfill leachate that impacts shallow drinking groundwater quality; accordingly, the transport mechanism and capacity for remediation of this compound are important to the management of local water resource. In this study, a series of indoor experiments and analytical predictions revealed that the transportation of 1,2,4-TCB in groundwater is similar in medium sand and fine sand. Specifically, the peak time increases with distance between monitoring points and the source point, but the peak relative concentrations decrease with distance, indicating that the concentration of 1,2,4-TCB in groundwater is controlled by adsorption and biodegradation. In addition, transportation of water in a fine sand column was lower than that in a medium sand column; therefore, the adsorption and biodegradation of 1,2,4-TCB in groundwater was lower in the medium sand column. These findings demonstrate that 1,2,4-TCB in groundwater could be removed by natural degradation after about 5 years, but that other methods (permeable reactive barriers, air sparging or biosparging) should be applied in the field to shorten the remediation period and enhance water supply safety around landfill.     

石油类污染场地的自然衰减作用

在野外石油类污染场地地质、水文地质调查的基础上,对场地地下水中总石油烃的吸附、生物降解等自然衰减作用进行研究。开展了砂质粉土、粉砂、细砂等场地包气带、含水层介质对总石油烃的吸附动力学实验、等温吸附实验、不同矿化度吸附实验、生物降解实验和挥发实验等。实验结果显示,砂质粉土、粉砂、细砂的吸附平衡时间分别为4、7和10 h;通过计算确定了每种介质对总石油烃的等温吸附模型。矿化度对介质吸附总石油烃能力的影响表现为,矿化度越高吸附量越高。生物降解实验结果表明,在场地水土条件下,降解能力最强,且降解符合一级衰减动力学方程。研究表明,地下水受到污染后,吸附、降解、挥发等自然衰减作用对地下水石油类污染物的去除具有非常重要的作用。     

Comparison of linear and nonlinear forms of isotherm models for Zn(II) and Cu(II) sorption on a kaolinite

The most appropriate method in designing the adsorption systems and assessing the performance of the adsorption systems is to have an idea on adsorption isotherms. Comparison analysis of linear least square method and nonlinear method for estimating the isotherm parameters was made using the experimental equilibrium data of Zn(II) and Cu(II) onto kaolinite. Equilibrium data were fitted to Freundlich, Langmuir, and Redlich–Peterson isotherm equations. In order to confirm the best-fit isotherms for the adsorption system, the data set using the chi-square (χ ²), combined with the values of the determined coefficient (r ²) was analyzed. Nonlinear method was found to be a more appropriate method for estimating the isotherm parameters. The best fitting isotherm was the Langmuir and Redlich–Peterson isotherm. The Redlich–Peterson is a special case of Langmuir when the Redlich–Peterson isotherm constant g was unity. The sorption capacity of kaolinite to uptake metal ions in the increasing order was given by Cu (4.2721 mg/g)?<?Zn (4.6710 mg/g).     

Removal of arsenic and iron from mine-tailing leachate using chitosan hydrogels synthesized by gamma radiation

Mine residue and leachate were sampled from an acid mine drainage site near Arroyo San Pedro, which is one of the oldest abandoned mine districts in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and characterized by X-ray diffraction and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy, confirming the presence of Fe, As, and SO₄ ^2?. To address this problem, chitosan network (net-CS) and chitosan network-N-vinylcaprolactam/N–N-dimethylacrylamide (net-CS)-g-NVCL/DMAAm hydrogels were synthesized and used as adsorbents of the different ions present in the aforementioned leachate by batch equilibrium procedure. Kinetics, isotherms, and ions dissolved in leachate were evaluated. The gels showed the highest adsorption capacity for As and Fe ions. The adsorption capacity of the net-CS hydrogels for As (V) and Fe(III) was 0.786 and 76.85 mg/g, respectively, attained after 50 h. The surface of the hydrogels was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, before and after the adsorption process, where the presence of a bond between the hydrogels and heavy metals ions, which is commonly observed in organic groups, was observed. In addition, Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms constants were determined for the As and Fe ions, and it was found that the Freundlich isotherm, with a first-order pseudo model, better fitted the adsorption process, indicating heterogeneous sorption, and the retention process occurred by chemisorption. The results from the Geochemist´s Workbench (GWB) software program revealed that arsenates, such as H₃AsO₄, H₂AsO₄ ^?, as well as Fe⁺⁺, FeSO₄(aq) and FeOH⁺ were the common aqueous species found in the leachate at pH = 2.9.     

Tunisian landfill leachate treatment using <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella</Emphasis> sp.: effective factors and microalgae strain performance

The potential of the autoclaved Tunisian landfill leachate treatment using microalgae (Chlorella sp.) cultivation was investigated in this study. Landfill leachate was collected from Borj Chakir landfill, Tunisia. A full factorial experimental design 2² was proposed to study the effects of the incubation time and leachate ratio factors on the organic matter removal expressed in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammoniacal nitrogen (NH₄─N) and on the biological response of Chlorella sp. expressed by the cell density and chlorophyll content. All experiments were batch runs at ambient temperature (25 ± 2 °C). The Chlorella sp. biomass and chlorophyll a concentrations of 1.2 and 5.32 mg L^?1, respectively, were obtained with 10% leachate spike ratio. The obtained results showed that up to 90% of the ammoniacal nitrogen in landfill leachate was removed in 10% leachate ratio spiked medium with a residual concentration of 40 mg L^?1. The maximum COD removal rate reached 60% within 13 days of incubation time indicating that microalgae consortium was quite effective for treating landfill leachate organic contaminants. Furthermore, with the 10% leachate ratio spiked medium, the maximum lipid productivity was 4.74 mg L^?1 d^?1. The present study provides valuable information for potential adaptation of microalgae culture and its contribution for the treatment of Tunisian landfill leachate.     

Comparative study of the absorptive potential of raw and activated carbon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia nilotica</Emphasis> for Reactive Black 5 dye

Acacia nilotica was used for the adsorption of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye from an aqueous solution. Both the raw and activated (with H₃PO₄) carbon forms of Acacia nilotica (RAN and ANAC, respectively) were used for comparison. Various parameters (including dye concentration, contact time, temperature, and pH) were optimized to obtain the maximum adsorption capacity. RAN and ANAC were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The maximum experimental adsorption capacities for RAN and ANAC were 34.79 and 41.01 mg g^?1, respectively, which agreed with the maximum adsorption capacities predicted by the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich equilibrium isotherm models. The adsorption data of ANAC showed a good fit to the isotherm models based on the coefficient of determination (R ²): Langmuir type II (R ² = 0.99) > Freundlich (R ² = 0.9853) > Dubinin–Radushkevich (R ² = 0.9659). This result suggested monolayer adsorption of RB5 dye. The adsorption of RB5 dye followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The RAN adsorbent reflected an exothermic reaction (enthalpy change, ΔH = ?0.006 kJ mol^?1) and increased randomness (standard entropy change, ΔS = 0.038 kJ mol^?1) at the solid–solution interface. In contrast, ANAC reflected both exothermic [?0.011 kJ mol^?1 (303–313 K)] and endothermic [0.003 kJ mol^?1 (313–323 K)] reactions. However, the ΔS value of ANAC was lower when the RB5 adsorption increased from 313 to 323 K. The negative values for the Gibbs free energy change at all temperatures indicated that the adsorption of RB5 dye onto RAN and ANAC was spontaneous in the forward direction.     

Removal of cationic dye methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution by ground raw and base modified pine cone powder

The adsorption capacity of raw and sodium hydroxide-treated pine cone powder in the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution was investigated in a batch system. It was found that the base modified pine cone exhibits large adsorption capacity compared with raw pine cone. The extent of adsorption capacity was increased with the increase in NaOH concentration. Overall, the extent of MB dye adsorption increased with increase in initial dye concentration, contact time, and solution pH but decreased with increase in salt concentration and temperature for both the systems. Surface characteristics of pine cone and base modified pine cone were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer and scanning electron microscope. Equilibrium data were best described by both Langmuir isotherm and Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity was found to be 129.87 mg g^?1 at solution pH of 9.02 for an initial dye concentration of 10 ppm by raw pine cone. The base modified pine cone showed the higher monolayer adsorption capacity of 142.25 mg g^?1 compared with raw pine cone biomass. The value of separation factor, R _L, from Langmuir equation and Freundlich constant, n, both give an indication of favourable adsorption. The various kinetic models, such as pseudo-first-order model, pseudo-second-order model, intraparticle diffusion model, double-exponential model, and liquid film diffusion model, were used to describe the kinetic and mechanism of adsorption process. Overall, kinetic studies showed that the dye adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics based on other models. The different kinetic parameters, including rate constant, half-adsorption time and diffusion coefficient, were determined at different physicochemical conditions. A single-stage bath adsorber design for the MB adsorption onto pine cone and modified pine cone has been presented based on the Langmuir isotherm model equation. Thermodynamic parameters, such as standard Gibbs free energy (ΔG ⁰), standard enthalpy (ΔH ⁰) and standard entropy (ΔS ⁰), were also calculated.     

Removal of cadmium (II) from aqueous solution and natural water samples using polyurethane foam/organobentonite/iron oxide nanocomposite adsorbent

A novel polyurethane foam/organobentonite/iron oxide nanocomposite adsorbent was successfully prepared via in situ polymerization of toluene diisocyanate and polyol in presence of 5 wt% organobentonite/iron oxide. The obtained nanocomposite was characterized in detail, and the results revealed that the clay layers are exfoliated and/or intercalated in the polymer matrix forming a nanocomposite structure. The application of the prepared nanocomposite for adsorption of cadmium ions from aqueous solution was tested as a function of various experimental parameters using batch procedures. Adsorptive removal of Cd(II) onto the nanocomposite attained maximum at adsorbent content 1.5 g/L, pH 6, and the equilibrium was established within 60 min. Kinetic studies showed that the experimental data fit very well to pseudo-second-order model, and the adsorption process proceeds through three steps. It was found that external liquid film and intraparticle diffusion steps deeply affect the rate of Cd²⁺ ions adsorption onto the synthesized nanocomposite. Langmuir isotherm model fitted the adsorption data better than Freundlich with a maximum adsorption capacity (q _m) for Cd(II) equal to 78 mg/g under the specified experimental conditions. The synthesized nanocomposite afforded effective extraction for Cd²⁺ ions from natural water samples and excellent reusability feature. This study declares the potential efficiency of a new clay/polymer nanocomposite as alternative for wastewater remediation.     

Adsorption isotherms, kinetics and mechanism for the adsorption of cationic and anionic dyes onto carbonaceous particles prepared from Juglans regia shell biomass

In the present study, Juglans regia shells were used to prepare activated carbon by acid treatment method. J. regia shell-based activated carbon was used for the adsorption of two synthetic dyes namely, a basic dye malachite green and an acid dye amido black 10B. The prepared adsorbent was crushed and sieved to three different mesh sizes 100, 600 and 1,000 μm. The adsorbent was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, surface acidity and zero-point charge. Batch experiments were carried out by varying the parameters like initial aqueous phase pH, adsorbent dosage and initial dye concentration. The equilibrium data were tested with Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich–Peterson and Sips isotherm at three different temperatures 293, 300 and 313 K and it was found that the Freundlich isotherm best fitted the adsorption of both the dyes. Kinetic data were tested with pseudo first-order model and pseudo second-order model. The mechanism for the adsorption of both the dyes onto the adsorbent was studied by fitting the kinetic data with intraparticle diffusion model and Boyd plot. External mass transfer was found to be the rate-determining step. Based on the ionic nature of the adsorbates, the extent of film diffusion and intraparticle diffusion varied; both being system specific. Thermodynamic parameters were also calculated. Finally, the process parameters of each adsorption system were compared to develop the understanding of the best suitable system.     

Analyses on a high leachate mound in a landfill of municipal solid waste in China

The leachate levels in the landfills in southern China are generally high. Field monitoring was carried out in the Suzhou landfill to investigate the leachate mound. The saturated hydraulic conductivity and soil–water characteristic curve (SWCC) of municipal solid waste were measured using samples taken from different depths of the landfill. Field monitoring reveals that a perched leachate mound and a substantial main leachate mound existed in the landfill. The saturated hydraulic conductivities of wastes in shallow, middle and deep depth were measured to be 4.81 × 10^?2, 3.50 × 10^?3 and 3.56 × 10^?4 cm/s, respectively. The results of SWCC tests show that the SWCC curve was steep when matric suction was low, and the shallower the waste the steeper would be the curve. In addition to the field and laboratory tests, an unsaturated–saturated seepage analysis was conducted to simulate the development of the high leachate mound and to calculate the annual leachate production. The simulated volumetric water content in the unsaturated zone was about 40 %, which agreed well with the test result. The calculated leachate mound was consistent with the field measurement. The calculated annual and daily leachate productions were all more reasonable than the results of the HELP model.     

Exploring sustainability of aquifers based on predictive modeling of sorption characteristics of arsenic enriched Holocene sediments in Bangladesh

The importance of accessing safe aquifers in areas with high As is being increasingly recognized. The present study aims to investigate the sorption and mobility of As at the sediment-groundwater interface to identify a likely safe aquifer in the Holocene deposit in southwestern Bangladesh. The upper, shallow aquifer at around 18 m depth, which is composed mainly of very fine, grey, reduced sand and contains 24.3 μg/g As, was found to produce highly enriched groundwater (190 μg/L As). In contrast, deeper sediments are composed of partly oxidized, brownish, medium sand with natural adsorbents like Fe- and Al-oxides; they contain 0.76 μg/g As and impart low As concentrations to the water (4 μg/L). These observations were supported by spectroscopic studies with SEM, TEM, XRD and XRF, and by adsorption, leaching, column tests and sequential extraction. A relatively high in-situ dissolution rate (R_r) of 1.42 × 10⁻¹⁶ mol/m²/s was derived for the shallower aquifer from the inverse mass-balance model. The high R_r may enhance As release processes in the upper sediment. The field-based reaction rate (K_r) was extrapolated to be roughly 1.23 × 10⁻¹³ s⁻¹ and 6.24 × 10⁻¹⁴ s⁻¹ for the shallower and deeper aquifer, respectively, from the laboratory-obtained adsorption/desorption data. This implies that As is more reactive in the shallower aquifer. The partition coefficient for the distribution of As at the sediment-water interface (K_d-As) was found to range from 5 to 235 L/kg based on in-situ, batch adsorption, and flow-through column techniques. Additionally, a parametric equation for K_d-As (R² = 0.67) was obtained from the groundwater pH and the logarithm of the leachable Fe and Al concentrations in sediment. A one-dimensional finite-difference numerical model incorporating K_d and K_r showed that the shallow, leached As can be immobilized and prevented from reaching the deeper aquifer (∼150 m) after 100 year by a natural filter of oxidizing sand and adsorbent minerals like Fe and Al oxides; in this scenario, 99% of the As in groundwater is reduced. The deeper aquifer appears to be an adequate source of sustainable, safe water.     

Influence of hydrostratigraphy and structural setting on the arsenic occurrence in groundwater of the Cimino-Vico volcanic area (central Italy)

Arsenic occurrence in groundwater near the Cimino-Vico volcanoes (central Italy) was analysed considering the hydrostratigraphy and structural setting and the shallow and deep flows interacting within the Quaternary volcanics. Groundwater is the local source of drinking water. As documented in the past, arsenic in the groundwater has become a problem, and the European maximum allowable contaminant level was recently lowered to 10 μg/L. Chemical analyses of groundwater were conducted, sampled over an area of about 900 km², from 65 wells and springs representative of the volcanic aquifer and thermal waters. Considering the type of aquifer, the nature of the aquifer formation and its substratum, the hydrochemical data highlight that the arsenic content of the groundwater is mainly connected with the hydrothermal processes in the volcanic area. Thermal waters (54–60°C) fed from deep-rising fluids show higher arsenic concentrations (176–371 μg/L). Cold waters sampled from the volcanic aquifer are characterized by a wide variability in their arsenic concentration (1.6–195 μg/L), and about 62% exceed the limit of 10 μg/L. Where the shallow volcanic aquifer is open to deep-rising thermal fluids, relatively high arsenic concentrations (20–100 μg/L) are found. This occurs close to areas of the more recent volcano-tectonic structures.     

Adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics of organophosphorus profenofos pesticide onto Fe/Ni bimetallic nanoparticles

Bimetallic Fe/Ni nanoparticles were synthesized and used for the removal of profenofos organophosphorus pesticide from aqueous solution. These novel bimetallic nanoparticles (Fe/Ni) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The effect of the parameters of initial pesticide concentration, pH of the solution, adsorbent dosage, temperature, and contact time on adsorption was investigated. The adsorbent exhibited high efficiency for profenofos adsorption, and equilibrium was achieved in 8 min. The Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherm models were used to determine equilibrium. The Langmuir model showed the best fit with the experimental data (R ² = 0.9988). Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intra-particle diffusion models were tested to determine absorption kinetics. The pseudo-second-order model provided the best correlation with the results (R ² = 0.99936). The changes in the thermodynamic parameters of Gibb’s free energy, enthalpy, and entropy of the adsorption process were also evaluated. Thermodynamic parameters indicate that profenofos adsorption using Fe/Ni nanoparticles is a spontaneous and endothermic process. The value of the activation energy (E _a = 109.57 kJ/mol) confirms the nature of the chemisorption of profenofos onto Fe/Ni adsorbent.     

Competitive adsorption of metal ions onto goethite–humic acid-modified kaolinite clay

A binary mixture of humic acid and geothite was prepared and used to modify kaolinite to produce geothite–humic acid (GHA)-modified kaolinite adsorbent useful for the adsorption of Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺ from Single and Quinary (5) metal ion systems. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) and specific surface area of GHA-modified kaolinite clay adsorbent were found to be 40 meq/100 g and 13 m²/g, respectively, with the CEC being five times that of raw kaolinite clay (7.81 meq/100 g). The Langmuir–Freundlich equilibrium isotherm model gave better fit to experimental data as compared with other isotherm models. In Quinary metal ion system, the presence of Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ appears to have an antagonistic effect on the adsorption of Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Ni²⁺, while the presence of Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Ni²⁺ shows a synergistic effect on the adsorption of Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺. The GHA-modified kaolinite showed strong preference for the adsorption of Pb²⁺ in both metal ion systems. Brouers–Weron–Sotolongo (BWS) kinetic model gave better fit to kinetic data compared with other kinetic models used. Data from BWS kinetic model indicate that adsorption of metal ions onto GHA-modified adsorbent in both metal ion systems followed strictly, diffusion-controlled mechanism with adsorption reaction proceeding to 50 % equilibrium in <2 min in the Single metal ion system and <1 min in the Quinary metal ion system. Adsorption of metal ions onto GHA-modified kaolinite is fairly spontaneous and endothermic in nature in both metal ion systems although the rate of metal ion uptake and spontaneity of reaction are reduced in the Quinary metal ion system.     

Hexamine adsorption study on activated carbon from aqueous solutions for application in treatment of hexamine industrial wastewater

The adsorption of hexamine onto powdered activated carbon from aqueous solutions was studied in a fixed bed system. Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich–Peterson and Toth isotherm models were used to fit the experimental data and isotherm parameters were determined. The results revealed that the adsorption isotherm models fitted the data in the order of Langmuir > Toth > Redlich–Peterson > Freundlich. Lagergren pseudo-first order kinetic model was found to correlate well with the experimental data. The effects of solution pH, temperature, initial hexamine concentration and added salts concentration on the adsorption capacity and the rate of adsorption were studied. The results indicate that the rate of adsorption increases and then decreases as temperature of the hexamine solution increases, however, the adsorption capacity decreases. The addition of low concentration of salt significantly increases the adsorption capacity of activated carbon. The results showed that the activated carbon has potential for the adsorption of hexamine from industrial hexamine wastewater.     

Removal of ibuprofen from aqueous solution by functionalized strong nano-clay composite adsorbent: kinetic and equilibrium isotherm studies

The functionalized nano-clay composite adsorbent was prepared, and its properties were characterized using FT-IR, XRD and SEM techniques. The synthesized nano-clay composite was studied with regard to its capacity to remove ibuprofen under different adsorption conditions such as varying pH levels (5–9), initial ibuprofen concentrations (3, 5 and 10 mg L^?1), contact time, and the amount of adsorbent (0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 g). In order to evaluate the nanocomposite adsorption capacity, the adsorption results were assessed using nine isotherm models. The results showed that the optimum adsorption pH was 6 and that an increase or decrease in the pH reduced the adsorption capacity. The adsorption process was fast and reached equilibrium after 120 min. The maximum efficacy of ibuprofen removal was approximately 95.2%, with 1 g of adsorbent, 10 mg L^?1 initial concentration of ibuprofen, 120 min contact time and pH = 6. The optimal adsorption isotherm models were the Freundlich, Fritz–Schlunder, Redlich–Peterson, Radke–Prausnitz, Sip, Toth and Khan models. In addition, four adsorption kinetic models were employed for adsorption system evaluation under a variety of experimental conditions. The kinetic data illustrated that the process is very fast, and the reaction followed the Elovich kinetic model. Therefore, this nano-clay composite can be used as an effective adsorbent for the removal of ibuprofen from aqueous solutions, such as water and wastewater.     

Insight into adsorption equilibrium,kinetics and thermodynamics of lead onto alluvial soil

In the present study, adsorption of lead (II) ions from aqueous solution by alluvial soil of Bhagirathi River was investigated under batch mode. The influence of solution pH, sorbent dose, initial lead (II) concentration, contact time, stirring rate and temperature on the removal process were investigated. The lead adsorption was favored with maximum adsorption at pH 6.0. Sorption equilibrium time was observed in 60 min. The equilibrium adsorption data were analyzed by the Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubinin–Radushkevich and Temkin adsorption isotherm models. The kinetics of lead (II) ion was discussed by pseudo first-order, pseudo second-order, intra-particle diffusion, and surface mass transfer models. It was shown that the adsorption of lead ions could be described by the pseudo second-order kinetic model. The activation energy of the adsorption process (E _a) was found to be ?38.33 kJ mol^?1 using the Arrhenius equation, indicating exothermic nature of lead adsorption onto alluvial soil. Thermodynamic parameters, such as Gibbs free energy (?G ⁰), the enthalpy (?H ⁰), and the entropy change of sorption (?S ⁰) have also been evaluated and it has been found that the adsorption process was spontaneous, feasible, and exothermic in nature. The results indicated that alluvial soil of Bhagirathi River can be used as an effective and low cost adsorbent to remove lead ions from aqueous solutions.     

Adsorption capacity of iron oxide-coated gravel for landfill leachate: simultaneous study

Landfill leachate is a high-strength wastewater. If it is not managed properly, it can pollute surrounding environment. The aim of this study is to determine the simultaneous adsorption capacity of iron oxide-coated gravel for metals such as Cd(II), Cu(II), Fe(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) in high-strength leachate sample. Different operating conditions such as pH, time, and dosages were investigated to determine the kinetics and mechanism of adsorption process. Coating with iron oxide changed the external surface of gravel. The adsorption capacities increased with increased pH, and the optimum pH was found to be 7. High removal rates were observed in a short period of time. The Freundlich model fitted reasonably well to the experimental data, indicating multilayer adsorption process and the heterogeneity of the surface (R ² ranging 0.57–0.94). The Temkin model fitted well to the experimental data as well (R ² ranging 0.67–0.98), indicating that the adsorption is an exothermic process. The adsorption of ions was found to obey second-order kinetics, indicating one-step, surface-only adsorption process. The degree of metal adsorption on iron oxide-coated gravel at pH 7 was in the order Cu(II) > Cd(II) > Fe(II) > Zn(II) > Ni(II).     

Simultaneous adsorption of divalent and trivalent metal cations by iron oxide-coated gravel

Reducing heavy metal concentrations to allowable levels in landfill leachate before discharge is an extremely important process to prevent environmental pollution. Iron oxide-coated gravel was used in order to remove Cd(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), Fe(III) and Al(III) simultaneously in high-strength synthetic leachate samples. Batch and column studies were performed to determine the kinetics and mechanism of adsorption process. The experimental data obtained from batch study satisfactorily fitted to the Freundlich model indicating surface heterogeneity and multilayer adsorption process. The data obtained from kinetic studies followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics indicating adsorption governed by chemisorption. The metal adsorption order observed in the batch study was Pb(II)(99.72%) ≈ Cu(II)(99.61%) ≈ Cd(II)(99.51%) ≈ Fe(III)(99.3%) > Al(III)(93.3%) at pH 7. Average metal removals in the fixed-bed column were found to be 96.5% for Cu(II), 94.8% for Pb(II), 90% for Cd(II), 84% for Fe(III) and 67% for Al(III). Iron oxide-coated gravel column adsorption capacity ranged from 0.56 to 66.82 mg/g. Recovery efficiency of adsorbed metals via desorption was between 5–97.75% in first cycle and 2–80.3% in second cycle.     

Ionic solid-impregnated sulphate-crosslinked chitosan for effective adsorption of hexavalent chromium from effluents

Microwave-assisted tetrabutyl ammonium-impregnated sulphate-crosslinked chitosan was synthesized for enhanced adsorption of hexavalent chromium. The adsorbent obtained was extensively characterized using Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray studies. Various isotherm models such as Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich were studied to comprehend the adsorption mechanism of hexavalent chromium by the adsorbent. Maximum adsorption capacity of 225.9 mg g^?1 was observed at pH 3.0 in accordance with Langmuir isotherm model. The sorption kinetics and thermodynamic studies revealed that adsorption of hexavalent chromium followed pseudo-second-order kinetics with exothermic and spontaneous behaviour. A column packed with 1 g of adsorbent was found to give complete adsorption of Cr(VI) up to 900 mL of 200 mg L^?1 solution which discerns the applicability of the adsorbent material for higher sample volumes in column studies. The effective adsorption results were obtained due to both ion exchange and ion pair interaction of adsorbent with hexavalent chromium. Greener aspect of overall adsorption was regeneration of the adsorbent which was carried out using sodium hydroxide solution. In the present study, the regenerated adsorbent was effectively reused up to ten adsorption–desorption cycles with no loss in adsorption efficiency.