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Bajda T, Grela A, Pamuła J, Kuc J, Klimek A, Matusik J, Franus W, Alagarsamy SKK, Danek T, Gara P. Using Zeolite Materials to Remove Pharmaceuticals from Water. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:3848. [PMID: 39124512 PMCID: PMC11313275 DOI: 10.3390/ma17153848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Pharmaceutical drugs, including antibiotics and hormonal agents, pose a significant threat to environmental and public health due to their persistent presence in aquatic environments. Colistin (KOL), fluoxetine (FLUO), amoxicillin (AMO), and 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EST) are pharmaceuticals (PhCs) that frequently exceed regulatory limits in water and wastewater. Current removal methods are mainly ineffective, necessitating the development of more efficient techniques. This study investigates the use of synthetic zeolite (NaP1_FA) and zeolite-carbon composites (NaP1_C), both derived from fly ash (FA), for the removal of KOL, FLUO, AMO, and EST from aquatic environments. Batch adsorption experiments assessed the effects of contact time, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration, and pH on the removal efficiency of the pharmaceuticals. The results demonstrated that NaP1_FA and NaP1_C exhibited high removal efficiencies for all tested pharmaceuticals, achieving over 90% removal within 2 min of contact time. The Behnajady-Modirshahla-Ghanbary (BMG) kinetic model best described the adsorption processes. The most effective sorption was observed with a sorbent dose of 1-2 g L-1. Regarding removal efficiency, the substances ranked in this order: EST was the highest, followed by AMO, KOL, and FLUO. Sorption efficiency was influenced by the initial pH of the solutions, with optimal performance observed at pH 2-2.5 for KOL and FLUO. The zeolite-carbon composite NaP1_C, due to its hydrophobic nature, showed superior sorption efficiency for hydrophobic pharmaceuticals like FLUO and EST. The spectral analysis reveals that the primary mechanism for immobilizing the tested PhCs on zeolite sorbents is mainly due to physical sorption. This study underscores the potential of utilizing inexpensive, fly ash-derived zeolites and zeolite-carbon composites to remove pharmaceuticals from water effectively. These findings contribute to developing advanced materials for decentralized wastewater treatment systems, directly addressing pollution sources in various facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Bajda
- Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Krakow, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland; (A.K.); (J.M.); (T.D.)
| | - Agnieszka Grela
- Faculty of Environmental and Power Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, ul. Warszawska 24, 31-155 Krakow, Poland; (A.G.); (J.P.)
| | - Justyna Pamuła
- Faculty of Environmental and Power Engineering, Cracow University of Technology, ul. Warszawska 24, 31-155 Krakow, Poland; (A.G.); (J.P.)
| | - Joanna Kuc
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, ul. Warszawska 24, 31-155 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Klimek
- Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Krakow, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland; (A.K.); (J.M.); (T.D.)
| | - Jakub Matusik
- Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Krakow, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland; (A.K.); (J.M.); (T.D.)
| | - Wojciech Franus
- Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Lublin University of Technology, ul. Nadbystrzycka 40, 20-618 Lublin, Poland;
| | | | - Tomasz Danek
- Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Krakow, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland; (A.K.); (J.M.); (T.D.)
| | - Paweł Gara
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, AGH University of Krakow, al. A. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland;
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Escudero-Curiel S, Giráldez A, Pazos M, Sanromán Á. From Waste to Resource: Valorization of Lignocellulosic Agri-Food Residues through Engineered Hydrochar and Biochar for Environmental and Clean Energy Applications-A Comprehensive Review. Foods 2023; 12:3646. [PMID: 37835298 PMCID: PMC10572264 DOI: 10.3390/foods12193646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Agri-food residues or by-products have increased their contribution to the global tally of unsustainably generated waste. These residues, characterized by their inherent physicochemical properties and rich in lignocellulosic composition, are progressively being recognized as valuable products that align with the principles of zero waste and circular economy advocated for by different government entities. Consequently, they are utilized as raw materials in other industrial sectors, such as the notable case of environmental remediation. This review highlights the substantial potential of thermochemical valorized agri-food residues, transformed into biochar and hydrochar, as versatile adsorbents in wastewater treatment and as promising alternatives in various environmental and energy-related applications. These materials, with their enhanced properties achieved through tailored engineering techniques, offer competent solutions with cost-effective and satisfactory results in applications in various environmental contexts such as removing pollutants from wastewater or green energy generation. This sustainable approach not only addresses environmental concerns but also paves the way for a more eco-friendly and resource-efficient future, making it an exciting prospect for diverse applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ángeles Sanromán
- CINTECX, Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidade de Vigo, Campus As Lagoas-Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain; (S.E.-C.); (A.G.); (M.P.)
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Hayoun B, Escudero-Curiel S, Bourouina M, Bourouina-Bacha S, Angeles Sanromán M, Pazos M. Preparation and characterization of high performance hydrochar for efficient adsorption of drugs mixture. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.118797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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