Studies on the recovery of uranium from nuclear industrial effluent using nanoporous silica adsorbent

In this paper, the sorption of uranium onto nanoporous silica adsorbent in the presence of nitrate, sulfate, chloride, fluoride and phosphate was studied. The effect of contact time between the nanoporous sorbent and aqueous solution, pH and initial concentration of uranium was also investigated. Uranium sorption onto nanoporous silica adsorbent is a very fast process as sorption rate increases with pH increment. Optimum pH for uranium sorption was 4?C8. Experimental sorption isotherm is successfully described by Langmuir and Freundlich models. The results obtained by batch experiments showed that the presence of high concentration of nitrate, sulfate, chloride and phosphate anions alone had no interference with uranium recovery. However, the presence of fluoride ions (>250?mg/L) decreases uranium sorption by about 55?%. The results also showed that the presence of phosphate ions (about 300?mg/L) in solution could remove fluoride interference completely. Finally, the efficiency of the nanoporous silica adsorbent for uranium recovery from wastewater of the uranium conversion facility was investigated.     

Adsorption of arsenic(V) on bone char: batch,column and modeling studies

Bone char has been used as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of As(V) from waste water. The batch experiments show that the Langmuir isotherm describes well the adsorption behavior. The adsorption process follows a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The column experiments were conducted at pH = 4 and 10 mg/L an initial concentration of As(V). The breakthrough curves were investigated for various conditions, such as different flow rates, column bed heights, adsorption cycles, coexisting cations and anions such as Mn²⁺, Al³⁺, PO₄ ^3?, SO₄ ^2? and SiO₃ ^2?. The convection–diffusion equation was used to model the experimental transport data of As(V) for these conditions. It has been found that the coexisting cations can enhance As(V) immobilization and increase retardation factor (R _f), and coexisting anions significantly decrease the diffusion coefficient (D _L) of As(V). The secondary adsorption phenomena were observed in the breakthrough curves of column studies of As(V) with cations, especially Mn²⁺. The regeneration experiments using distilled water and 0.1 mol/L NaOH solution were done to evaluate the desorption degree. The total desorbed amounts from whole column for three experiments decreased from 8.98 to 7.67 mg and the desorption degrees increased from 0.51 to 0.71 unexpectedly, which indicates that the regeneration operation is feasible. Finally, the chemical analysis of column effluents and infrared spectroscopic analysis of absorbent both revealed that the ligand exchange and electrostatic interaction are the main removal mechanisms.     

Removal of phosphates from aqueous solution by sepiolite-nano zero valent iron composite optimization with response surface methodology

In this study, sepiolite-nano zero valent iron composite was synthesized and applied for its potential adsorption to remove phosphates from aqueous solution. This composite was characterized by different techniques. For optimization of independent parameters (pH = 3–9; initial phosphate concentration = 5–100 mg/L; adsorbent dosage = 0.2–1 g/L; and contact time = 5–100 min), response surface methodology based on central composite design was used. Adsorption isotherms and kinetic models were done under optimum conditions. The results indicated that maximum adsorption efficiency of 99.43 and 92% for synthetic solution and real surface water sample, respectively, were achieved at optimum conditions of pH 4.5, initial phosphate concentration of 25 mg/L, adsorbent dosage of 0.8 g/L, and 46.26 min contact time. The interaction between adsorbent and adsorbate is better described with the Freundlich isotherm (R ² = 0.9537), and the kinetic of adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order model. Electrostatic interaction was the major mechanisms of the removal of phosphates from aqueous solution. The findings of this study showed that there is an effective adsorbent for removal of phosphates from aqueous solutions.     

Stabilization of Fe/Cu nanoparticles by starch and efficiency of arsenic adsorption from aqueous solutions

Due to the severity of arsenic contamination of soil and water resources around the world, finding new adsorbents for arsenic removal from the water is of high importance. The present study investigates the possible use and effectiveness of starch-stabilized Fe/Cu nanoparticles for adsorption of arsenic from aqueous solutions. First, Fe/Cu nanoparticles at various starch concentrations of 0, 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06 wt% were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and zeta potential/particle size analyzer. Then 0.04 wt% stabilized Fe/Cu nanoparticles were tested for the sorption of As(III) and As(V) from synthetic arsenic-contaminated water. To have an understanding about the arsenic adsorption mechanism of nanoparticles, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was performed before and after adsorption. The results showed that starch provides nanoparticles with a neutral surface and stabilization of nanoparticles is possible with 0.04 wt% or higher concentrations of starch. For 0.04 wt% starch-stabilized Fe/Cu nanoparticles, the adsorption isotherms fit well within the Langmuir equation, with maximum sorption capacities of 90.1 mg/g for As(III) and 126.58 mg/g for As(V) at a pH of 7.0 from the aqueous arsenic solutions. Examining the XPS spectra of nanoparticles before and after adsorption showed that arsenic adsorption by this nanoparticle can be due to the formation of inner-sphere arsenic complexes on the particle surface, and the surface oxygen-containing functional groups involved in adsorption. The high sorption capacity suggests the potential for applying starch-stabilized Fe/Cu nanoparticles to the contaminated waters for removal of arsenic.     

Synthesis of Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>-loaded porous carbons developed from rice husk for removal of arsenate from aqueous solution

A simple one-step synthetic approach using rice husk has been developed to prepare magnetic Fe₃O₄-loaded porous carbons composite (MRH) for removal of arsenate (As(V)). The characteristics of adsorbent were evaluated by transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. On account of the combined advantages of rice husk carbons and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, the synthesized MRH composites showed excellent adsorption efficiency for aqueous As(V). The removal of As(V) by the MRH was studied as a function of contact time, initial concentration of As(V), and media pH. The adsorption kinetics of As(V) exhibited a rapid sorption dynamics by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, implying the mechanism of chemisorption. The adsorption data of As(V) were fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm model, and the maximum uptake amount (q _m ) was calculated as 4.33 mg g^?1. The successive regeneration and reuse studies showed that the MRH kept the sorption efficiencies over five cycles. The obtained results demonstrate that the MRH can be utilized as an efficient and low-cost adsorbent for removal of As(V) from aqueous solutions.     

Fluoride contamination of groundwater in parts of eastern India and a preliminary experimental study of fluoride adsorption by natural haematite iron ore and synthetic magnetite

Incidence of high fluoride (F^?) in groundwater (>1.5 mg/L) in two tribal belts of eastern India, one around Chukru in the Palamau district of Jharkhand and the other around Karlakot in the Nuapada district of Odisha, has been studied. The maximum concentration of F^? in groundwater from dug wells and tube wells is 10.30 mg/L in Chukru and 4.62 mg/L in Karlakot. The groundwaters are mildly alkaline with pH ranges of 7.52–8.22 and 7.33–8.20 in Chukru and Karlakot, respectively. The F^? concentration is positively correlated with pH, electrical conductivity and SO₄ ^2? in both areas. The high F^? in groundwater resulted mainly from dissolution of biotite and fluorapatite in quartzofeldspathic gneiss. The ionic dominance pattern (in meq/L) is mostly in the order Ca²⁺ > Na⁺ > Mg²⁺ > K⁺ among cations and HCO₃ ^? > SO₄ ^2? > < Cl^? > F^? among anions in the Karlakot groundwater. Preliminary adsorption experiments were conducted on natural haematite iron ore and synthetic magnetite to evaluate their potential for F^? removal from water. Effects of different parameters such as contact time, pH, adsorbent dose and initial F^? concentration on the adsorption capacity of these materials were investigated. Strong dependence of F^? removal on pH was observed for both the adsorbents. With natural haematite iron ore, the maximum F^? removal of 66 % occurred at an initial pH of 3.2 for a solution with F^? concentration of 3 mg/L, adsorbent dose of 7 g/L and overnight contact time. The haematite iron ore was observed to increase the pH of the F^? solution. Adsorption equilibrium was not achieved with this adsorbent even after a contact time of 45.2 h. In the case of synthetic magnetite, 84 % F^? removal was achieved after 2 min of contact time for a solution with F^? concentration of 6 mg/L, adsorbent dose of 10 g/L and initial pH of 7. The results indicate high potential of both natural haematite iron ore and synthetic magnetite as adsorbents of F^? in water.     

Phosphate: a neglected argument in studies of ancient glass technology

The phosphate content of ancient alkali-glass has been tested as an indicator for biogenic ash, used in glass production. The living tissue of plants and vertebrates accumulates phosphate that remains in native ash as a main component (1 to over 10 wt%) forming together with biologically essential element oxides a complex chemical fingerprint that characterises any glass made with it. If, instead of native plant ash its alkali extract is used, soluble oxides are concentrated in the extract whilst insoluble oxides get depleted, leading to a different elemental fingerprint of the glass. Geogenic raw-materials for glass production like quartz-rich sand, evaporitic natron, or limestone are virtually phosphate free (below detection limit up to ≈0.15 wt%). Several collections of ancient glass stemming from different archaeological excavations, regions and times have been analysed by instrumental methods (WD-XFA, ED-XFA, thermal techniques), i.e. flat- and hollow K–Ca glass dated 1699/1714 N = 340, Na–Ca glass 13th/14th cy N = 94, Na–Ca glass 7th/9th cy N = 110, and alkali-Ca glass La Tène N = 395. Although the phosphate content of native alkali plant ash gets diluted with quartz sand by a factor of roughly two in glass production, it remains a main component of the product glass. Wood-ash glass contains 1–3 wt% phosphate, whilst glass manufactured from halophyte ash contains around 0.2–1 wt%. When processed wood-ash is used, the phosphate content in glass sinks below 1 wt%, the depletion factor amounting to roughly 8–15. Glass made from evaporitic soda displays phosphate contents below 0.2 wt% in the cases examined. The phosphate content of ancient alkali glass thus indicates whether virtually phosphate-free evaporitic soda has been used as a flux, or native ash of halophile plants. Ternary melting diagrams reveal at least three groups of alkali glass: Naturally coloured forest glass displays a broad distributional pattern with minimum melting temperatures ranging from 1200 to ≥1450 °C, colourless potash-extract glass from 900 to ≈1200 °C, and the typical, tight cluster of Roman sodium-calcium glass ranges from 800 to ≈900 °C. The wide-spread sodium-lime glass made with native halophytic ash, contains besides Na₂O as the chemical main component always some K₂O, and melting temperatures range from 800 to ≈1000 °C.     

Inorganic arsenic sorption by drinking-water treatment residual-amended sandy soil: effect of soil solution chemistry

Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that drinking-water treatment residuals are effective sorbents of arsenic V. However, the effect of soil solution chemistry on arsenic V sorption by drinking-water treatment residuals-amended soils remains to be explored. The current study uses a batch incubation experimental set up to evaluate the effect of soil solution pH, competing ligands, and complexing metal on arsenic V sorption by a sandy soil (Immokalee series) amended with two rates (25 and 50 g kg^?1) of aluminum and iron-based drinking-water treatment residuals. Experiments were conducted at three initial arsenic loads (125, 1,875, 3,750 mg kg^?1) and a constant solid: solution ratio of 200 g L^?1. An optimum equilibration time of 8 days, obtained from kinetic studies, was utilized for sorption experiments with both aluminum and iron drinking-water treatment residual-amended soil. Presence of phosphate decreased arsenic V sorption by both aluminum and iron drinking-water treatment residual amended soils, with a strong dependence on pH, drinking-water treatment residual types, drinking-water treatment residual application rates, and phosphate concentrations. Addition of sulfate had no effect on arsenic V sorption by aluminum or iron drinking-water treatment residual-amended soil. A complementing effect of calcium on arsenic V sorption was observed at higher pH. Results elucidating the effect of soil solution chemistry on the arsenic V sorption will be helpful in calibrating drinking-water treatment residual as a sorbent for remediation of arsenic-contaminated soils.     

Advantage of almond green hull over its resultant ash for chromium(VI) removal from aqueous solutions

The discharge of industrial effluents containing hexavalent chromium can be very harmful for the environment. Therefore, Cr(VI) should be removed from contaminated water, and especially from wastewater, to prevent its discharge into the environment. This study is aimed at analyzing the factors that affect the removal of Cr(VI) with the use of almond green hull and ash adsorbent. The effects of pH (2–10), adsorbent dose (2–24 g/L), Cr(VI) concentration (10–100 mg/L), exposure time (1–60 min), and temperature (5–50 °C) were examined. The surface morphology, pore size of adsorbent surfaces were characterized with SEM, EDX, FTIR. Maximum removal occurred at pH = 2. Results showed that the removal yield increased with the rise of exposure time and temperature. The data indicate that due to limited site on adsorbent surface, the removal efficiency decreased as initial Cr(VI) concentration increased. When the adsorbent dose was increased, the removal yield increased in the case of the bioadsorbent as well; however, in the ash adsorbent, there was an increase followed by a decreasing trend. The study highlights that almond green hull can be more efficient than its ash in the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. As a general result of study, it can be argued that almond green hull bioadsorbent and the obtained carbon are able to remove Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions; thus, they can be used as efficient and economical substitutes for existing adsorbents like activated carbon, for the removal of chromium from polluted aqueous solutions.     

Adsorption of aqueous Pb(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) ions by amorphous tin(VI) hydrogen phosphate: an excellent inorganic adsorbent

Amorphous tin(VI) hydrogen phosphate (ATHP) was synthesized using the liquid phase precipitation method and served as an adsorbent to remove Pb(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) from aqueous solutions. The ATHP was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption techniques. Adsorption properties were evaluated as a function of pH, reaction time, concentration of reactants, and salinity. Their equilibrium adsorption data were modeled using Freundlich, Langmuir, and Dubinin–Kaganer–Radushkevich isotherms, respectively. The results revealed that adsorption equilibrium reached within 180 min. ATHP indicated good adsorption even below the pH_ZPC, and best adsorption at pH 5 for Pb(II) and Cu(II) and at pH 5.5 for Zn(II) was observed. Equilibrium data fitted better to the Langmuir model for Pb(II) and Cu(II) and fitted better to the Freundlich model for Zn(II). The saturated adsorption capacities deduced from the Langmuir model were 2.425, 1.801, and 0.600 mmol/g for Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II), respectively, indicating an adsorption affinity order of Cu > Pb > Zn. There is a negative correlation between the concentration of NaCl and adsorption capacity of ATHP, yet ATHP still exhibited excellent adsorption having an adsorption capacity of 19.35, 15.16, 6.425 mg/g when the concentration of NaCl was 0.6 mol/L. The free energy (E) was 12.33, 10.70, and 14.74 kJ/mol for Pb(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II), respectively. An adsorption mechanism based on ion exchange between heavy metal ions and H⁺ in the ATHP is proposed. Furthermore, the used ATHP was regenerated by HCl solution and the adsorbent was used repeatedly.     

Removal of organic matter from reservoir water: mechanisms underpinning surface chemistry of natural adsorbents

One of the key challenges in water treatment industry is the removal of organic compounds by cost-effective methods. This study evaluated the adsorptive removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from reservoir water using fuller’s earth (FE) in comparison with natural (SQ) and modified quartz (MSQ) sands. The removal capacities of FE at different contact times, pH levels, adsorbent dosages and initial DOC concentrations were compared with both the quartz sands. The optimum DOC removals by FE and SQs were achieved at contact time of 60 and 30 min, pH level of 6 and 4, and at adsorbent dose of 1.5 g/150 mL and 10 g/100 mL, respectively. The adsorption capacity of FE (1.05 mg/g) was much higher compared to the MSQ (0.04 mg/g) and SQ (0.01 mg/g). Adsorption equilibrium data better fitted to the Freundlich model than to the Langmuir model, suggesting that adsorption occurred primarily through multilayer formation onto the surfaces of FE and SQ. The pseudo-second-order model described the uptake kinetics more effectively than the pseudo-first-order and intra-particle diffusion models, indicating that the mechanism was primarily governed by chemisorption. These observations were well supported by the physiochemical characteristics and charge behaviour of the adsorbents. In mass-transfer study, the results of liquid film diffusion model showed that the adsorption of DOC on FE was not controlled by film diffusion, but other mechanisms also played an essential role. This study demonstrates that FE is an effective adsorbent for the removal of DOC in surface water treatment.     

Functionalized nanobiomaterials: high-performance sorbents for chromium remediation from water streams

In present work, fabrication of functionally tailored nanobiomaterials paraben-modified nanocellulose (PNC) and (2,3-epoxypropyl) trimethylammonium chloride-modified nanocellulose (EPTMAC-NC) for the remediation of trivalent and hexavalent chromium, respectively, from water streams has been done. The resulting PNC and EPTMAC-NC were characterized before and after sorption of chromium using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. The sorption performance of PNC (23.92 mg/g; 95.67 %) and EPTMAC-NC (23.99 mg/g; 95.94 %) was evaluated for trivalent and hexavalent chromium, respectively, at 0.5 g biosorbent dose; 500 mL sample volume; 25 mg/L chromium conc.; 40 min kinetic time; pH (6.5 for trivalent and 2.5 for hexavalent chromium) and 298 K temperature. From isothermic, kinetic and thermodynamic modeling, the sorption of trivalent and hexavalent chromium was physisorption, spontaneous, feasible and endothermic in nature. These findings expose new path in the line of high performance, scalable and economic nanobiomaterials for the abatement of toxic metals from water streams.     

Identification of potential soil adsorbent for the removal of hazardous metals from aqueous phase

The present study attempted to identify the efficient hazardous metal-removing sorbent from specific types of soil, upper and middle layer shirasu, shell fossil, tuff, akadama and kanuma soils of Japan by physico-chemical and metal (arsenic, cadmium and lead) removal characterizations. The physico-chemical characteristics of soil were evaluated using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy techniques, whereas metal removal properties of soil were characterized by analyzing removal capacity and sorption kinetics of potential metal-removing soils. The chemical characteristics revealed that all soils are prevalently constituted of silicon dioxide (21.83–78.58 %), aluminum oxide (4.13–38 %) and ferrous oxide (0.835–7.7 %), whereas calcium oxide showed the highest percentage (65.36 %) followed by silicon dioxide (21.83 %) in tuff soil. The results demonstrated that arsenic removal efficiency was higher in elevated aluminum oxide-containing akadama (0.00452 mg/L/g/h) and kanuma (0.00225 mg/L/g/h) soils, whereas cadmium (0.00634 mg/L/g/h) and lead (0.00693 mg/L/g/h) removal efficiencies were maximum in elevated calcium oxide-containing tuff soil. Physico-chemical sorption and ion exchange processes are the metal removal mechanisms. The critical appraisal of three metal removal data also clearly revealed cadmium > lead > arsenic order of removal efficiency in different soils, except in tuff and akadama soils followed by lead > cadmium > arsenic. It clearly signified that each type of soil had a specific metal adsorption affinity which was regulated by the specific chemical composition. It may be concluded that akadama would be potential arsenic-removing and tuff would be efficient cadmium and lead-removing soil sorbents.     

Comparative adsorption behavior between phenol and p-nitrophenol by Na- and HDTMA-clinoptilolite-rich tuff

A comparison of phenol (Phen) and p-nitrophenol (p-NPhen) sorption between sodium (ZCh-Na) and surfactant-modified (ZCh-HDTMA) clinoptilolite-rich tuffs is presented using kinetic and the isotherm parameters to describe the selectivity of the sorption processes. The clinoptilolite-rich tuff (ZCh) used in this work was obtained from a new deposit located in the state of Chihuahua (México). The effective and external cation exchange capacities (EfCEC and ECEC) of the ZCh were evaluated previous surface modification with HDTMA. The clinoptilolite-rich tuff was characterized by X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. A batch system was used to evaluate the kinetics and the isotherms of Phen and p-NPhen sorption. The results show that EfCEC and ECEC were 112 and 17 meq/100 g, respectively. The clinoptilolite is the major mineral phase although mordenite and quartz are minor components. The pseudo-second order kinetic model better fitted the adsorption data and Langmuir model best describes the isotherms for both Phen and p-NPhen using ZCh-HDTMA. p-NPhen is adsorbed by both ZCh-HDTMA and ZCh-Na; however, ZCh-HDTMA exhibits superior performance which reflex a major selectivity. Therefore, the surfactant-modified clinoptilolite-rich tuff could be used for p-NPhen wastewater treatment.     

Removal of dyes by adsorption on magnetically modified activated sludge

The ability of magnetically modified activated sludge affected by thermal treatment to remove water-soluble organic dyes was examined. Twelve different dyes were tested. Based on the results of the initial sorption study, four dyes (namely aniline blue, Nile blue, Bismarck brown Y and safranin O) were chosen for further experiments due to their promising binding onto magnetic activated sludge. Significant factors influencing adsorption efficiency such as dependence of contact time, initial pH or temperature were studied in detail. The adsorption process was very fast; more than 88 % of dye content (55 mg/L) was adsorbed within 15 min under experimental conditions used. The equilibrium adsorption data were analyzed by Freundlich, Langmuir and Sips adsorption isotherm models, and the fitting of each isotherm model to experimental data was assessed on the basis of error functions. The maximum adsorption capacities of magnetic activated sludge were 768.2, 246.9, 515.1 and 326.8 mg/g for aniline blue, Bismarck brown Y, Nile blue and safranin O, respectively. The kinetic studies indicated that adsorption of all selected dyes could be well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the thermodynamic data suggested the spontaneous and endothermic process.     

Biosorption of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution onto pomegranate seeds: kinetic modeling studies

Hexavalent chromium has been proved to be the reason of several health hazards. This study aimed at evaluating the application of pomegranate seeds powder for chromium adsorption (VI) from aqueous solution. Chromium adsorption percentage (VI) increased with increasing the adsorbent dosage. Chromium adsorption capacity (VI), at pH = 2 and 10 mg/L initial metal concentration, decreased from 3.313 to 1.6 mg/g through increasing dosage of adsorbent from 0.2 to 0.6 g/100 ml. The adsorption rate increased through increase in chromium initial concentration (VI). However, there was a removal percentage reduction of chromium (VI). Chromium adsorption kinetics by different models (pseudo-first-order, modified pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, intraparticle diffusion, Boyd kinetic) was investigated as well. Studies on adsorption kinetic indicated that the experimental data were matched by pseudo-second-order model (R ² = 0.999) better. Obtained results demonstrated the pomegranate seeds can be used as an effective biomaterial and biosorbent for hexavalent chromium adsorption from aqueous solutions.     

Efficient removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions using autohydrolyzed Scots Pine (Pinus Sylvestris) sawdust as adsorbent

In this work, a low-cost lignocellulosic adsorbent with high biosorption capacity is proposed, suitable for the efficient removal of hexavalent chromium from water and wastewater media. The adsorbent was produced by autohydrolyzing Scots Pine (Pinus Sylvestris) sawdust. The effect of the autohydrolysis conditions, i.e., pretreatment time and temperature, on hexavalent chromium biosorption was investigated using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and UV–visible spectrophotometry. The Freundlich, Langmuir, Sips, Radke-Prausnitz, Modified Radke-Prausnitz, Tóth, UNILAN, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich adsorption capacities and the rate constant values for pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order kinetics indicated that the autohydrolyzed material exhibits significantly enhanced hexavalent chromium adsorption properties comparing with the untreated sawdust. The Freundlich’s adsorption capacity K _F increased from 2.276 to 8.928 (mg g^?1)(L mg^?1)^1/n , and the amount of hexavalent chromium adsorbed at saturation (Langmuir constant q _m) increased from 87.4 to 345.9 mg g^?1, indicating that autohydrolysis treatment at 240 °C for 50 min optimizes the adsorption behavior of the lignocellulosic material.     

Kinetics and thermodynamics study of lead adsorption on to activated carbons from coconut and seed hull of the palm tree

The kinetic and thermodynamic of the bath sorption of lead (Pb) on to activated carbon from Coconut (CA) and Seed hull of the Palm tree (GA) have been investigated. The effects of initial Pb concentration, contact time and temperature were examined. The results showed that the adsorption capacities of the activated carbons increased with the initial lead concentration. The process sorption followed a pseudo first order kinetics and parameters such as Ea and k₀ were determined. It could be best fitted by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. From the first, the equilibrium sorption capacities of lead ion were determined and found to be respectively 4.38 and 3.77 mg/ g for CA and GA at 60 °C. The thermodynamic parameters such as dGH, dGS and dGG were computed from the experimental data. These values show that the adsorption is endothermic and non spontaneous. Moreover, the relative weak values of dGH (～5 kcal/mol) confirm a physical adsorption. The maximum adsorptions were obtained at 60 °C, pH 4 and with a Pb initial concentration of 100 mg/L.     

Biosorption of cadmium(II), lead(II) and cobalt(II) from aqueous solution by biochar from cones of larch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix decidua</Emphasis> Mill. <Emphasis Type="Italic">subsp. decidua</Emphasis>) and spruce (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea abies</Emphasis> L. H. Karst)

Because of their physicochemical properties, biochars can be used as sorption materials for removal of toxic substances. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether biochar obtained from cones of larch (Larix decidua Mill. subsp. decidua) and spruce (Picea abies L. H. Karst) could be used as a sorbent for Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Co²⁺ in aqueous solutions. So far, this feedstock had not been tested in this respect. The material was subjected to pyrolysis at 500 and 600 °C for the duration of 5, 10 and 15 min. The obtained pyrolysates were found to differ in terms of pH and the contents of the essential macroelements. The different values of these parameters were determined for varying temperature, duration of the pyrolysis process and type of feedstock. Sorption capacities of the biochars for removal of Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Co²⁺ were examined using simulated contamination of aqueous solutions with salts of these metals. The findings showed the highest, nearly complete, removal for Pb²⁺ were maximum 99.7%, and almost three times lower value for Cd²⁺ and Co²⁺ (respectively, 35.7 and 24.8%). It was demonstrated that pyrolysis of conifer cones produced optimum sorption capacities when the process was conducted at a temperature of 500 °C for the duration of 5 min. It was shown that products of spruce cone pyrolysis were characterized by better sorption capacity in comparison with products of larch cone pyrolysis. The properties of conifer cone biochar create the possibility of using it as an adsorbent in water and wastewater treatment as well as in production of filters and activated carbon.     

Stream water geochemistry from mine wastes in Peña de Hierro,Riotinto area,SW Spain: a case of extreme acid mine drainage

In this work we have studied the geochemistry of stream waters arising from waste dumps at the Peña de Hierro mine (Iberian Pyrite Belt, SW Spain), and we have correlated them with the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the wastes to asses the source and factors affecting the release of trace elements. The mineralogical composition and geochemistry of 58 borehole samples of waste dumps were studied in the <2 mm fraction. Twenty-eight water samples collected in winter and summer from streams emerging from the waste dumps were analysed for pH, Eh, conductivity, temperature, sulphates and major and trace elements. The leachates from pyrite-rich volcanic tuffs produced very acidic waters, usually with pHs below 2 and reaching values as low as 0.7. The partial dissolution of gossan, which is mainly composed of Fe oxy-hydroxides and is rich in trace elements, released high concentrations of Fe_tot (up to 33 g/L), As (up to 72), Mo (up to 11 mg/L). On the other hand Cd, Zn and Pb reached up to 0.85, 142 and 0.42 mg/L, respectively, in the stream arising from roasted pyrite ashes and other pyritic wastes. Several elements such as Al, Fe, As, Co, Cu and Mo were strongly correlated with the pH, but Cd and Zn were not correlated under such acidic conditions. The precipitation of jarosite seems to be an important factor in the retention of Pb. The mobility sequence of trace elements shows that Co, Zn and Cd were among the most mobile elements; Cu, As and Mo had intermediate mobility, and Pb was the most immobile. This work shows that uncontrolled waste dumping increases the pollution potential, and a selective management could reduce the release of trace elements into stream waters and mitigate the contamination.