Work

Simultaneous Removal of Strontium, Manganese, Lead and Arsenate from Wastewaters Using a Green and Low-Cost Adsorbent Derived from Nut Residues

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The potential of a nut residue, activated only by physical means, to simultaneously adsorb Sr2+, Mn2+, Pb2+ and As5+ from contaminated waters was investigated. Mono-metal and multi-metal adsorption behavior and adsorption capacities by the solid material were compared for a range of initial metals concentrations, adsorbent dose, contact time and solution pH. The mechanisms of adsorption were examined by conducting structural, mineralogical and chemical analyses and applying two isotherm models to simulate experimental data. In the case of mono-metal adsorption, the maximum uptake of Sr2+ by the biochar was 12.3, of Mn2+ 23.8, of Pb2+ 24.7 and of As5+ 12.4 mg/g. In the case of multi-metal adsorption, the uptake of each metal was enhanced as the total ion flux density increased, revealing that there was no competition between these ions for biochar’s sorption sites. For an adsorbent dose of 2 g/L, the maximum adsorption capacity of biochar for Sr2+, Mn2+, Pb2+ and As5+ could be raised up to 47.6, 49.9, 25 and 48.7 mg/g, respectively. Potential adsorption mechanisms were chemical complexation or electron coordination between the metals and the biochar matrix, as well as mineral precipitation on the adsorbent surface.

Source: Applied Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/app142210199

Authors: Despina Vamvuka, Elena Sdoukou, Antonios Stratakis

Institution: Technical University of Crete

Language: English

Topic: Adsorption and biosorption for pollutant removal

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,728