Agricultural biomasses as sorbents of some trace metals

Chelating Agents in Soil Remediation: A New Method for a Pragmatic Choice of the Right Chelator

Soil pollution by metal ions constitutes one of the most significant environmental problems in the world, being the ecosystems of extended areas wholly compromised. The remediation of soils is an impelling necessity, and different methodologies are used and studied for reaching this goal. Among them, the application of chelating agents is one of the most promising since it could allow the removal of metal ions while preserving the most meaningful properties of the original soils. The research in this field requires the joined contribute of different expertise spanning from biology to chemistry. In this work, we propose a parsimonious and pragmatic approach for screening among a range of potential chelating agents. This methodology, the Nurchi's method, is based on an extension of the Reilley procedure for EDTA titrations. This allows forecasting the binding ability of chelating agents toward the target polluting metal ions and those typically found in soils, based on the knowledge of the related protonation and complex formation constants. The method is thoroughly developed, and then tested by application to some representative cases. Its use and relevance in biomedical and industrial applications is also discussed.

Thermosensitive Microgels-Decorated Magnetic Graphene Oxides for Specific Recognition and Adsorption of Pb(II) from Aqueous Solution

Herein, we report a novel type of smart graphene oxide nanocomposites (MGO@PNB) with excellent magnetism and high thermosensitive ion-recognition selectivity of lead ions (Pb2+). The MGO@PNB are fabricated by immobilizing superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-benzo-18-crown-6 acrylamide) thermosensitive microgels (PNB) onto graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets using a simple one-step solvothermal method and mussel-inspired polydopamine chemistry. The PNB are composed of cross-linked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) chains with numerous appended 18-crown-6 units. The 18-crown-6 units serve as hosts that can selectively recognize and capture Pb2+ from aqueous solution, and the PNIPAM chains act as a microenvironmental actuator for the inclusion constants of 18-crown-6/Pb2+ host-guest complexes. The loaded Fe3O4 NPs endow the MGO@PNB with convenient magnetic separability. The fabricated MGO@PNB demonstrate remarkably high ion-recognition selectivity of Pb2+ among the coexisting metal ions because of the formation of stable 18-crown-6/Pb2+ inclusion complexes. Most interestingly, the MGO@PNB show excellent thermosensitive adsorption ability toward Pb2+ due to the incorporation of PNIPAM functional chains on the GO. Further thermodynamic studies indicate that the adsorption of Pb2+ onto the MGO@PNB is a spontaneous and endothermic process. The adsorption kinetics and isotherm data can be well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model, respectively. Most importantly, the Pb2+-loaded MGO@PNB can be more easily regenerated by alternatively washing with hot/cold water than the commonly used regeneration methods. Such multifunctional graphene oxide nanocomposites could be used for specific recognition and removal of Pb2+ from water environment.

Agricultural wastes from wheat, barley, flax and grape for the efficient removal of Cd from contaminated water

Agricultural production results in wastes that can be re-used to improve the quality of the environment. This work has investigated for the first time the use of abundant, un-modified agricultural wastes and by-products (AWBs) from grape, wheat, barley and flax production, to reduce the concentration of Cd, a highly toxic and mobile heavy metal, in contaminated water. At concentrations of 1.1 mg Cd per L, flax and grape waste were found superior in removing Cd compared with a granular activated carbon used in water treatment, which is both more expensive and entails greater CO₂ emissions in its production. At a pH representative of mine effluents, where Cd presents its greatest mobility and risk as a pollutant, grape and flax waste showed capacity for effective bulk water treatment due to rapid removal kinetics and moderate adsorption properties: reaching equilibrium within 183 and 8 min - adsorption capacities were determined as 3.99 and 3.36 mg Cd per g, respectively. The capacity to clean contaminated effluents was not correlated with the surface area of the biosorbents. Surface chemistry analysis indicated that Cd removal is associated with exchange with Ca, and chemisorption involving CdCO₃, CdS and CdO groups. This work indicates that some AWBs can be directly (i.e. without pre-treatment or modification) used in bulk to remediate effluents contaminated with heavy metals, without requiring further cost or energy input, making them potentially suitable for low-cost treatment of persistent (e.g. via mine drainage) or acute (e.g. spillages) discharges in rural and other areas.

Evaluation of Cd(II) Ion Removal from Aqueous Solution by a Low-Cost Adsorbent Prepared from White Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) Waste Using Batch Sorption

An agricultural residue, white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) tuber peel (YTBS), was used for the removal of Cd(II) ion from an aqueous solution using a batch method. The adsorbent was characterized using FTIR, TGA, SEM, EDX, N2 BET, XRD, and XRF. The optimization of sorption variables such as pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, and initial metal ion concentration at 25 °C were also carried out. The results indicated the dependence of sorption on the adsorbate pH and adsorbent dose, while the adsorption system reached equilibrium in 180 min. The sorption kinetics was fitted to three models (pseudo first order, pseudo second order, and Elovich) to validate the kinetics, and the pseudo first order was the best model for the description of Cd(II) uptake. Equilibrium isotherm modelling was also carried out using the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin models, with the Langmuir isotherm giving the best fitting to the experimental results. The maximum loading capacity (qmax) of the adsorbent for Cd(II) obtained from the Langmuir isotherm model was 22.4 mg∙g−1 with an isotherm constant (KL) of 3.46 × 10−3 L·mg−1 and r2 value of 0.99. This result indicates that the YTBS residue was a good adsorbent for the removal of Cd(II) ion from aqueous system.

A critical approach to the toxic metal ion removal by hazelnut and almond shells

The adsorption capacity of ground hazelnut (HS) and almond (AS) shells towards Pb(II) and Cd(II) has been studied at pH = 5, in NaNO₃ and NaCl ionic media, in the ionic strength range 0.05-0.5 mol L^-1. Kinetic and equilibrium experiments were carried out by using the Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry technique to check the amount of the metal ion removed by HS and AS materials. Different kinetic and equilibrium equations were used to fit experimental data and a statistical study was done to establish the suitable model for the data fitting. A speciation study of the metal ions in solution was also done in order to evaluate the influence of the ionic medium on the adsorption process. TGA-DSC, FT-IR, and SEM-EDX techniques were used to characterize the adsorbent materials. The mechanism of metal ions adsorption was explained on the basis of the results obtained by the metal ions speciation study and the characterization of materials.

The importance of surface functional groups in the adsorption of copper onto walnut shell derived activated carbon

In this study, activated carbon (AC) was prepared from walnut shell using chemical activation. The surface chemistry of the prepared AC was modified by introducing or blocking certain functional groups, and the role of the different functional groups involved in the copper uptake was investigated. The structural and chemical heterogeneity of the produced carbons are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Boehm titration method and N₂/77 K adsorption isotherm analysis. The equilibrium and the kinetics of copper adsorption onto AC were studied. The results demonstrated that the functional groups on AC played an important role in copper uptake. Among various surface functional groups, the oxygen-containing group was found to play a critical role in the copper uptake, and oxidation is the most effective way to improve Cu (II) adsorption onto AC. Ion-exchange was identified to be the dominant mechanism in the copper uptake by AC. Some other types of interactions, like complexation, were also proven to be involved in the adsorption process, while physical force was found to play a small role in the copper uptake. The regeneration of copper-loaded AC and the recovery of copper were also studied to evaluate the reusability of the oxidized AC.

Pb(II) adsorption by a novel activated carbon - alginate composite material. A kinetic and equilibrium study

The adsorption capacity of an activated carbon - calcium alginate composite material (ACAA-Ca) has been tested with the aim of developing a new and more efficient adsorbent material to remove Pb(II) ion from aqueous solution. The study was carried out at pH=5, in NaCl medium and in the ionic strength range 0.1-0.75molL^-1. Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (DP-ASV) technique was used to check the amount of Pb(II) ion removed during kinetic and equilibrium experiments. Different kinetic (pseudo first order, pseudo second order and Vermuelen) and equilibrium (Langmuir and Freundlich) models were used to fit experimental data, and were statistically compared. Calcium alginate (AA-Ca) improves the adsorption capacity (q_m) of active carbon (AC) in the ACAA-Ca adsorbent material (e.g., q_m=15.7 and 10.5mgg^-1 at I=0.25molL^-1, for ACAA-Ca and AC, respectively). SEM-EDX and thermogravimetric (TGA) measurements were carried out in order to characterize the composite material. The results of the speciation study on the Pb(II) solution and of the characterization of the ACAA-Ca and of the pristine AA-Ca and AC were evaluated in order to explain the specific contribution of AC and AA-Ca to the adsorption of the metal ion.

Competitive biosorption of Cr(vi) and Zn(ii) ions in single- and binary-metal systems onto a biodiesel waste residue using batch and fixed-bed column studies

A feasible biosorption process for the removal of Cr(vi) and Zn(ii) ions from single and binary solutions onto a defatted pongamia oil cake (DPOC) was investigated.

Biosorption of hexavalent chromium from aqueous medium with Opuntia biomass

The biosorption of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions by Opuntia cladodes and ectodermis from cactus fruits was investigated. Both types of biomass are considered low-cost, natural, and ecofriendly biosorbents. Batch experiments were carried out to determine Cr(VI) biosorption capacity and the efficiency of the biosorption process under different pH, initial Cr(VI) concentration, and sorbent dosage. The biosorption of Cr(VI) by Opuntia biomass was highly pH dependent, favoring higher metal uptake at low pH. The higher biosorption capacity was exhibited at pH 2. The optimal conditions were obtained at a sorbent dosage of 1 g L(-1) and initial metal concentration of 10 mg L(-1). Biosorption kinetic data were properly fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The rate constant, the initial biosorption rate, and the equilibrium biosorption capacity were determined. The experimental equilibrium data obtained were analyzed using two-parameter isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin). The Langmuir maximum monolayer biosorption capacity (q max) was 18.5 mg g(-1) for cladodes and 16.4 mg g(-1) for ectodermis. The results suggest that Opuntia biomass could be considered a promising low-cost biosorbent for the ecofriendly removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous systems.

Third-generation solar cells: a review and comparison of polymer:fullerene, hybrid polymer and perovskite solar cells

Third-generation solar cells have excellent potential for delivering large scale, low-cost solar electricity. We review and compare the current understanding of the operation principles, performance improvements and future prospects for polymer:fullerene, hybrid polymer and perovskite solar cells.

Adsorption of Cadmium from Aqueous Solution by Biomass: Comparison of Solid Pineapple Waste, Sugarcane Bagasse and Activated Carbon

The use of low-cost adsorbent derived from agricultural waste has been investigated for the removal of Cd (II) from aqueous solution. This research reports the feasibility of using solid pineapple waste (SPW), sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and activated carbon (AC) derived from palm kernel for the removal of Cd (II) under different experimental conditions. Batch experiments were carried out at various pH (3-12), adsorbent dosage (0.01-2 g) and contact time (15-150 min). The maximum Cd (II) removal was shown by SPW (90%) followed by SCB (55%) and AC (30%) at pH 7 with a contact time of 120 min, adsorbent dosage of 1.0 g and at 1.0 ppm of the initial concentration of Cd (II) solution. The kinetics study shows that the adsorption process fitted the pseudo-second-order-model. The experimental data was analysed by both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. It was found that the Langmuir model appears to well fit the isotherm. The Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity calculated from Langmuir for SPW, SBC and AC were 0.3332 mg/g, 0.1865 mg/g and 0.1576 mg/g respectively. The order of Cd (II) removal by the adsorbents was SPW>SCB>AC. Thus, SPW may be an alternative adsorbent for the removal of Cd (II) ions form aqueous solution. The characterization of the SPW, SCB and AC were also carried out by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Nitrogen Gas Adsorption Single Point Surface Area Analyzer (BET).

Biosorption of heavy metals by Streptomyces species — an overview

Abstract Heavy metals, derived from industrial wastewater discharge, present a serious threat to human health and to natural water. Biosorption is regarded as a cost-effective biotechnology for the treatment of high volume and low concentration wastewaters containing heavy metal(s) in the order of 1 to 100 mg L−1. Among the biomaterials for heavy metal removal which have been researched during the past decades is the Streptomyces species, a by-product of an industrial antibiotic fermentation process. This paper describes the hazards posed by heavy metals effluents on the environment and use of various Streptomyces species to remove heavy metals from aqueous solution. Characterization of Streptomyces species, factors affecting biosorption, biosorption isotherms and biosorption kinetics is discussed. Graphical abstract

Biosorption of synthetic dyes (Direct Red 89 and Reactive Green 12) as an ecological refining step in textile effluent treatment

With the use of cost-effective natural materials, biosorption is considered as an ecological tool that is applied worldwide for the remediation of pollution. In this study, we proposed Lemna gibba biomass (LGB), a lignocellulosic sorbent material, for the removal of two textile dyes, Direct Red 89 (DR-89) and Reactive Green 12 (RG-12). These azo dyes commonly used in dying operations of natural and synthetic fibres are the most important pollutants produced in textile industry effluents. For this purpose, batch biosorption experiments were carried out to assess the efficacy of LGB on dye treatment by evaluating the effect of contact time, biomass dosage, and initial dye concentration. The results indicated that the bioremoval efficiency of 5 mg L(-1) DR-89 and RG-12 reached approximately 100 % after 20 min of the exposure time; however, the maximum biosorption of 50 mg L(-1) DR-89 and 15 mg L(-1) RG-12 was determined to be about 60 and 47 %, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy used to explain the sorption mechanism showed that the functional groups of carboxylic acid and hydroxyl played a major role in the retention of these pollutants on the biomass surface. The modelling results using Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin, Elovich, and Dubini Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms demonstrated that the DR-89 biosorption process was better described with the Langmuir theory (R (2) =0.992) while the RG-12 biosorption process fitted well by the D-R isotherm equation (R (2) =0.988). The maximum biosorption capacity was found to be 20.0 and 115.5 mg g(-1) for DR-89 and RG-12, respectively, showing a higher ability of duckweed biomass for the bioremoval of the green dye. The thermodynamic study showed that the dye biosorption was a spontaneous and endothermic process. The efficacy of using duckweed biomass for the bioremoval of the two dyes was limited to concentrations ≤50 mg L(-1), indicating that L. gibba biomass may be suitable in the refining step of textile effluent treatment.

Biosorption of Cr(III) and Fe(III) in single and binary systems onto pretreated orange peel

Trivalent chromium and iron are the products of the traditional reduction of hexavalent chromium by ferrous salts in industrial wastewater. Although there have been a few studies of Cr(III) adsorption, none have considered the effect of Fe(III) on Cr(III) adsorption in a binary system representing expected products of hexavalent chromium in industrial wastewater. The biosorption of Cr(III) and Fe(III) ions onto pretreated ground orange peel in single and binary systems was studied in batch experiments using a variety of techniques. The kinetic results showed a rapid rate of biosorption of Cr(III) and Fe(III) in single and binary systems and mutual interference effects in the competitive binary Cr(III)-Fe(III) system. Second order kinetic models showed the best fit for all systems. The behavior of competitive Cr(III)-Fe(III) biosorption were successfully described by the multicomponent Langmuir model, obtaining maximum capacities for Cr(III) and Fe(III) of 9.43 and 18.19 mg/g respectively. SEM/EDS results confirmed that the metals adsorb on the surface and FTIR identified the hydroxyl groups on the carboxylic acids as the active binding sites.

Green coconut shells applied as adsorbent for removal of toxic metal ions using fixed-bed column technology

This study applies green coconut shells as adsorbent for the removal of toxic metal ions from aqueous effluents using column adsorption. The results show that a flow rate of 2 mL/min and a bed height of 10 cm are most feasible. Furthermore, larger amounts of effluent can be treated for removal of single ions. The breakthrough curves for multiple elements gave the order of adsorption capacity: Cu(+2) > Pb(+2) > Cd(+2) > Zn(+2) > Ni(+2). Real samples arising from the electroplating industry can be efficiently handled.

Pb(II) biosorption using chitosan and chitosan derivatives beads: equilibrium, ion exchange and mechanism studies

The study examined the adsorption of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution onto chitosan, chitosan-GLA and chitosan-alginate beads. Several important parameters influencing the adsorption of Pb(II) ions such as initial pH, adsorbent dosage and different initial concentration of Pb(II) ions were evaluated. The mechanism involved during the adsorption process was explored based on ion exchange study and using spectroscopic techniques. The adsorption capacities obtained based on non-linear Langmuir isotherm for chitosan, chitosan-GLA and chitosan-alginate beads in single metal system were 34.98, 14.24 and 60.27 mg/g, respectively. However, the adsorption capacity of Pb(II) ions were reduced in the binary metal system due to the competitive adsorption between Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions. Based on the ion exchange study, the release of Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and Na+ ions played an important role in the adsorption of Pb(II) ions by all three adsorbents but only at lower concentrations of Pb(II) ions. Infrared spectra showed that the binding between Pb(II) ions and the adsorbents involved mostly the nitrogen and oxygen atoms. All three adsorbents showed satisfactory adsorption capacities and can be considered as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions.