SORPTION OF OXYANIONS BY SURFACTANT-MODIFIED ZEOLITE

Chabazite from Campanian Ignimbrite Tuff as a Potential and Sustainable Remediation Agent for the Removal of Emerging Contaminants from Water

The technological performance of a chabazite-rich rock belonging to the Campanian Ignimbrite formation, outcropping in the nearby of San Mango sul Calore (southern Italy), has been evaluated for the sorption and release of ibuprofen sodium salt after a surface modification of the starting geomaterial using two different chlorinated surfactants. Equilibrium sorption isotherms and in vitro loading tests demonstrated that the maximum sorption capacities of this geomaterial reach up to 24.5 and 13.5 mg/g, respectively, for zeolite modified with cetylpyridinium and benzalkonium. These results, obtained by non-linear mathematical modeling of the experimental curves, are definitely compatible with the concentrations of the most common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) in wastewaters, which have been recently considered as contaminants of emerging concern. This investigation also encourages a new possible sustainable exploitation of the lithified yellow facies of Campanian Ignimbrite, although future developments will be focused on using more stable and eco-friendlier two-tailed surfactants.

Modified zeolite as a sorbent for removal of contaminants from wet flue gas desulphurization wastewater

The aim of the present work was to prepare and investigate the sorption efficiency of unwashed cationic surfactant-modified natural zeolite (Cp) for the simultaneous removal of selected inorganic compounds (NH₄⁺, SO₄^2-, NO₃^-, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Ni) from wet flue gas desulphurization (WFGD) wastewater. The Cp was modified using hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA-Br) salt in an amount not exceeding its external cation exchange capacity (1.0 ECEC). The present analysis showed that the modification process was completed by forming an incomplete monolayer by the uptaken HDTMA ions. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and textural analysis indicated that the adsorbed HDTMA ions formed a disordered, macroporous structure onto Cp surface. Batch adsorption experiments with different sorbent dosages revealed an increase in the sorption efficiency of NH₄⁺ and NO₃^- with the increase in the amount of modified Cp. The highest removal efficiency was observed at adsorbent dosage of 150 g/L. The studies also revealed, that the SO₄^2- removal did not change significantly regardless the sorbent dosage. The kinetic tests showed that a substantial amount of inorganic compounds was removed within 2 h, and the sorption kinetics of each compound were best fitted to the pseudo-second order model. The studies of adsorption mechanism revealed that cation exchange, anion exchange with Br^- counterion, electrostatic interaction between the surfactant and inorganic ions, as well as precipitation of insoluble salts might be involved simultaneously in the immobilization of NH₄⁺, SO₄^2-, NO₃^-, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Ni.

Removal of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs from water by zeolite-rich composites: The interference of inorganic anions on the ibuprofen and naproxen adsorption

Composites of two natural zeolites - clinoptilolite and phillipsite, and cationic surfactants (cetylpyridinium chloride and Arquad® 2HT-75) were tested for the removal of two emerging contaminants - ibuprofen and naproxen. For each zeolite-rich rock, two different modifications of the zeolitic surfaces were prepared (monolayer and bilayer surfactant coverage). The influence of the initial drug concentrations and contact time on adsorption of these drugs was followed in buffer solution. The Langmuir model showed the highest adsorption capacity for the composite characterized by a bilayered surfactant at the clinoptilolite surface: 19.7 mg/g and 16.1 mg/g for ibuprofen and naproxen, respectively. Also, to simulate real systems, drug adsorption isotherms were conducted in natural water (Grindstone creek water - Columbia, Missouri, USA) by using the best performing adsorbent; in this case, a slight decrease of drug adsorption was recorded. Kinetic runs were performed in distilled water as well as in the presence of ions such as sulfates and bicarbonates; also, in this case, the interfering agents defined an adsorption decrease for bilayer composites.

Zeolite-Rich Composite Materials for Environmental Remediation: Arsenic Removal from Water

Natural zeolites are used as adsorbents in purification processes due to their cation-exchange ability and molecular sieve properties. Surface modified natural zeolites (SMNZs), produced by attaching cationic organic surfactants to the external surface, can simultaneously act as ionic exchangers and organic molecule adsorbents. In this paper, SMNZs were produced and investigated as adsorbents for As(V) removal from wastewater: two natural zeolites, clinoptilolite and phillipsite, were modified using HDTMA-Br and HDTMA-Cl as surfactants. The obtained samples were then characterized under static and dynamic conditions. Results showed that As(V) removal follows a pseudo-second order kinetic, with fast adsorption rates: every sample reached 100 % removal in 2 h, while equilibrium data showed a Langmuir-like behavior, with a greater anion uptake by the HDTMA-Br modified SMNZs due to the formation of a compact and complete micellar structure. Finally, fixed-bed tests were performed to characterize the samples under dynamic conditions assessing the effect of severe operating parameters on the dynamic exchange capacity, selectivity and efficiency of the process. The obtained results demonstrate a good ability of the tested materials to adsorb As(V) from wastewater, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed surface modification technique in expanding the possibility of using natural zeolites in these processes.

Surfactant modified zeolite as amphiphilic and dual-electronic adsorbent for removal of cationic and oxyanionic metal ions and organic compounds

A hydrophilic Y zeolite was primarily treated with sodium hydroxide to enhance its cation exchange capacity (Na-zeolite). The organo-zeolite (Na-H-zeolite) was prepared by a modification process of the external surface of Na-zeolite with a cationic surfactant (hexadecyltrimethylammonium; HDTMA). Three adsorbents (i.e., pristine zeolite, Na-zeolite, and Na-H-zeolite) were characterized with nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, cation exchange capacities, and zeta potential. Results demonstrated that HDTMA can be adsorbed on the surface of Na-zeolite to form patchy bilayers. The adsorption capacity of several hazardous pollutants (i.e., Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cr₂O₇^2-, propylbenzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, benzene, and phenol) onto Na-H-zeolite was investigated in a single system and multiple-components. Adsorption isotherm was measured to further understand the effects of the modification process on the adsorption behaviors of Na-H-zeolite. Adsorption performances indicated that Na-H-zeolite can simultaneously adsorb the metal cations (on the surface not covered by HDTMA), oxyanions (on the surface covered by HDTMA). Na-H-zeolite also exhibited both hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces to uptake organic compounds with various water solubilities (from 55 to 75,000mg/L). It was experimentally concluded that Na-H-zeolite is a potential dual-electronic and amphiphilic adsorbent for efficiently removing a wide range of potentially toxic pollutants from aquatic environments.

Sorption and retention of diclofenac on zeolite in the presence of cationic surfactant

Diclofenac (DC) is one of the most widely prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and one of the commonly found pharmaceuticals in aquatic environments and wastewater treatment plants. It possesses negative charges when solution pH is greater than its pKa value, while most of the soil components and sediment minerals bear negative charges, too, resulting in a net repulsion between the soil minerals and DC. Surfactant-modified zeolite (SMZ) has been studied extensively over the last 20 years for its effective removal of anionic contaminants tested under different experimental scales. However, its application for the removal of anionic drugs, such as DC, was less reported. This study focused on the sorption of DC by SMZ under different physic-chemical conditions, supplemented with instrumental analyses, in order to elucidate the mechanism of DC sorption by SMZ and to expand the SMZ application further. The results showed that the retention of DC was on the external surfaces of SMZ with extremely fast removal rate. Both anion exchange and partitioning of DC into the adsorbed surfactant micelles (admicelles) were responsible for the extended DC sorption. Interactions of DC with SMZ were facilitated with the benzene ring, the CO, and the CH₂CH₃ functional groups.

Analysis of the improvement of selenite retention in smectite by adding alumina nanoparticles

Smectite clay is used as barrier for hazardous waste retention and confinement. It is a powerful material to retain cations, but less effective for retaining anionic species like selenite. This study shows that the addition of a small percentage of γ-Al₂O₃ nanoparticles to smectite significantly improves selenite sorption. γ-Al₂O₃ nanoparticles provide high surface area and positively charged surface sites within a wide range of pH, since their point of zero charge is at pH8-9. An addition of 20wt% of γ-Al₂O₃ to smectite is sufficient to approach the sorption capacity of pure alumina. To analyze the sorption behavior of the smectite/oxide mixtures, a nonelectrostatic surface complexation model was considered, accounting for the surface complexation of HSeO₃^- and SeO₃^2-, the anion competition, and the formation of surface ternary complexes with major cations present in the solution. Selenite sorption in mixtures was satisfactorily described with the surface parameters and complexation constants defined for the pure systems, accounting only for the mixture weight fractions. Sorption in mixtures was additive despite the particle heteroaggregation observed in previous stability studies carried out on smectite/γ-Al₂O₃ mixtures.

Removal of Radioactive Iodide by Surfactant-Modified Zeolites

The removal of radionuclides such as 129I and 131I from radioactive liquid wastes was studied. Two natural zeolites were modified with different quaternary alkylammonium ions to replace the exchangeable cations from the zeolite surface and used as adsorbent materials. The quaternary ions used for such purpose were hexadecyltrimethylammonium, tetradecyltrimethylammonium, dodecyltrimethylammonium, tetrabutylammonium and tetramethylammonium, respectively. Some of the modified forms exhibited an adsorption capacity much higher than those of the respective natural samples. In contrast, the adsorption capacity was negligible when tetrabutylammonium and tetramethylammonium ions were used. Adsorption experiments were conducted by batch and continuous experiments, and adsorption isotherms constructed from the data obtained. The effect of interfering anions on the adsorption capacity was also investigated as were the breakthrough behaviours of radioiodide in a column charged with the various adsorbents. Desorption of iodide from the modified zeolites into different solutions was also investigated. It was concluded that, in some cases, surfactant modification was an efficient process for the uptake and immobilization of iodide.

Simultaneous removal of ammonium and nitrate by HDTMA-modified zeolite

In this study, surfactant (hexadecyltrimethylammonium, HDTMA) modified zeolite (clinoptilolite) (SMZ) was used for simultaneous removal of ammonium and nitrate in wastewater, and the sorption properties of SMZ were determined. Results showed that natural clinoptilolite had good affinity for ammonium, but low sorption ability for nitrate, and the ammonium sorption process was well described by the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The SMZ had a significant enhancement on nitrate sorption and could simultaneously remove ammonium and nitrate at specific conditions, with removal efficiency up to 93.6% and 81.8%, respectively. The sorption process fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm. Orthogonal experiments showed that ammonium concentration was the most important factor for ammonium sorption on SMZ. However, surfactant loading was the major factor for nitrate sorption. Meanwhile, phosphate did not interfere with nitrate removal. Semi-empirical quantum mechanics molecular simulation indicated that electrostatic attraction existed between HDTMA and nitrate. Results of this study demonstrated that SMZs may have great potential for removing cations and anions simultaneously in the aquatic environment.

The limitations of applying zero-valent iron technology in contaminants sequestration and the corresponding countermeasures: the development in zero-valent iron technology in the last two decades (1994-2014)

Over the past 20 years, zero-valent iron (ZVI) has been extensively applied for the remediation/treatment of groundwater and wastewater contaminated with various organic and inorganic pollutants. Based on the intrinsic properties of ZVI and the reactions that occur in the process of contaminants sequestration by ZVI, this review summarizes the limitations of ZVI technology and the countermeasures developed in the past two decades (1994-2014). The major limitations of ZVI include low reactivity due to its intrinsic passive layer, narrow working pH, reactivity loss with time due to the precipitation of metal hydroxides and metal carbonates, low selectivity for the target contaminant especially under oxic conditions, limited efficacy for treatment of some refractory contaminants and passivity of ZVI arising from certain contaminants. The countermeasures can be divided into seven categories: pretreatment of pristine ZVI to remove passive layer, fabrication of nano-sized ZVI to increase the surface area, synthesis of ZVI-based bimetals taking advantage of the catalytic ability of the noble metal, employing physical methods to enhance the performance of ZVI, coupling ZVI with other adsorptive materials and chemically enhanced ZVI technology, as well as methods to recover the reactivity of aged ZVI. The key to improving the rate of contaminants removal by ZVI and broadening the applicable pH range is to enhance ZVI corrosion and to enhance the mass transfer of the reactants including oxygen and H(+) to the ZVI surface. The characteristics of the ideal technology are proposed and the future research needs for ZVI technology are suggested accordingly.

Organo-modified sericite in the remediation of an aquatic environment contaminated with As(III) or As(V)

The aim of this investigation was to obtain the hybrid material precursor to the naturally and abundantly available sericite, a mica-based clay; the materials were further employed in the remediation of arsenic from aqueous solutions. The study was intended to provide a cost-effective and environmentally benign treatment technology. The hybrid organo-modified sericite was obtained using hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA) and alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (AMBA) organic surfactants by introducing regulated doses of HDTMA or AMBA. The materials were characterized using infrared and X-ray diffraction analytical data, whereas the surface morphology was discussed by taking its SEM images. These materials were employed to assess the pre-concentration and speciation of As(III) and As(V) from aqueous solutions. The batch reactor data showed that increasing the sorptive concentration (from 1.0 to 15.0 mg/L) and pH (i.e., pH 2.0 to 10.0) caused the percent uptake of As(III) and As(V) to decrease significantly. The kinetic data showed that a sharp initial uptake of arsenic reached its equilibrium state within about 50 min of contact time, and the sorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order rate law both for As(III) and As(V) sorption. A 1,000 times increase in the background electrolyte concentration, i.e., NaNO3, caused a significant decrease in As(III) removal, whereas As(V) was almost unaffected, which inferred that As(III) was adsorbed, mainly by the van der Waals or even by the electrostatic attraction, whereas As(V) was adsorbed chemically and formed "inner-sphere" complexes at the solid/solution interface. The equilibrium state modeling studies indicated that the sorption data fitted well the Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms. Henceforth, the removal capacity was calculated under these equilibrium conditions. It was noted that organo-modified sericite possessed a significantly higher removal capacity compared to its virgin sericite. Between these two organo-modified sericite, the HDTMA-modified sericite possessed a higher removal capacity compared to the AMBA-modified sericite.

Synthesis and surfactant modification of clinoptilolite and montmorillonite for the removal of nitrate and preparation of slow release nitrogen fertilizer

This article introduces the synthesis of clinoptilolite and montmorillonite, and their surfactant modification by using solutions of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CH(3)(CH(2))(15)N(Br)(CH(3))(3), HDTMAB) and dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide ((CH(3)(CH(2))(17))(2)N(Br)(CH(3))(2), DODMAB). The feasibility of using surfactant modified silicates (SMSs) as a potential adsorbent for nitrate and for slow release of nutrient has been investigated. Adsorption isotherms of NO(3)(-) on SMSs have been measured at aqueous concentration of 160-280 mg L(-1). The SMSs show much higher adsorption capacity than the unmodified materials as determined by Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The surfactant modification and increased surfactant loading concentration enhance the nitrate anion retaining capacity of silicates (montmorillonite (16.05 mg g(-1))<clinoptilolite (30.58 mg g(-1))<DODMAB loaded clinoptilolite (75.19 mg g(-1))<DODMAB loaded montmorillonite (76.92 mg g(-1))<HDTMAB loaded montmorillonite (80.65 mg g(-1))<HDTMAB loaded clinoptilolite (125.00 mg g(-1))). The adsorption data fitted well with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The slow nutrient release studies have been performed by thin layers-funnel analytical test and soil column percolating system. The obtained results indicate that SMSs are very good adsorbent for NO(3)(-) and a slow release of nitrogen is achievable as it releases NO(3)(-) still after 15-20 days of leaching study.

Mechanisms controlling adsorption of natural organic matter on surfactant-modified iron oxide-coated sand

Mechanisms contributing to the adsorption of natural organic matter (NOM) on surfactant-modified iron oxide-coated sand (IOCS) were explored by microscopic surface characterization techniques and adsorption tests. Electrostatic interactions that were thought to be from the positively charged, surface-coated surfactant, hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium (HDTMA), seemed to be unimportant, likely because the outward-pointing tail groups of the surface-coated HDTMA monolayers hindered the interactions. Improved hydrophobic interactions followed by ligand exchange are believed to be the dominant mechanisms. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) force analysis with chemically modified tips was used to explore the adsorption mechanisms between NOM and IOCS, where an iron oxide-coated mica surface was utilized as a substitute for the IOCS surface. It demonstrates the changes of pull-on forces and the increases in hydrophobic interactions from the modification of IOCS with HDTMA.

Properties and applications of zeolites

Zeolites are aluminosilicate solids bearing a negatively charged honeycomb framework of micropores into which molecules may be adsorbed for environmental decontamination, and to catalyse chemical reactions. They are central to green-chemistry since the necessity for organic solvents is minimised. Proton-exchanged (H) zeolites are extensively employed in the petrochemical industry for cracking crude oil fractions into fuels and chemical feedstocks for other industrial processes. Due to their ability to perform cation-exchange, in which the cations that are originally present to counterbalance the framework negative charge may be exchanged out of the zeolite by cations present in aqueous solution, zeolites are useful as industrial water-softeners, in the removal of radioactive Cs+ and Sr2+ cations from liquid nuclear waste and in the removal of toxic heavy metal cations from groundwaters and run-off waters. Surfactant-modified zeolites (SMZ) find particular application in the co-removal of both toxic anions and organic pollutants. Toxic anions such as arsenite, arsenate, chromate, cyanide and radioactive iodide can also be removed by adsorption into zeolites that have been previously loaded with co-precipitating metal cations such as Ag+ and Pb2+ which form practically insoluble complexes that are contained within the zeolite matrix.

Removal of Cr(VI) and As(V) from aqueous solutions by HDTMA-modified zeolite Y

The synthesized zeolite NaY from rice husk ash (RHA) and the commercial zeolite NaY both modified with surfactants in amounts equal to 50%, 100% and 200% of their external cation exchange capacity (ECEC) were used to remove chromate and arsenate anions from aqueous solutions. While the unmodified zeolite Y had little or no affinity for the Cr(VI) and As(V) anionic species, the surfactant-modified zeolite Y (SMZY) showed significant ability to remove of these anions from the aqueous solutions. The highest chromates and arsenates adsorption efficiency was observed from solutions of pH values 3 and 8, respectively because of the dominance of the univalent species of both anions. The adsorption equilibrium data were best fitted with the Langmuir isotherm model with the highest removal capacities observed for the SMZY initially prepared considering the hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium (HDTMA) amount equal to the 100% of the ECEC of zeolite Y. Synthesized SMZY remove Cr(VI) and As(V) more than the corresponding commercial one due to its lower silica to alumina ratio. Thus, the HDTMA-covered modified zeolite Y synthesized using RHA can be used to remove Cr(VI) and As(V) from water.

Retardation of chromate through packed columns of surfactant-modified zeolite

In this study, zeolite aggregates with particle size < 0.4, 1.4-2.4, and 3.6-4.8 mm were modified by the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) bromide to a surfactant loading level of 80, 130, and 250 mmol kg(-1), respectively. The modified and unmodified zeolites were subjected to column tests to study the chromate transport and retardation as affected by particle size. At an input concentration of 11-15 mg L(-1), unmodified zeolite did not retard chromate transport for all three particle size ranges. In contrast, the observed retardation factor for chromate, defined as the number of pore volumes passed when the output concentration equals to half of the input concentration, was 55, 50, and 500 for the columns packed with 3.6-4.8, 1.4-2.4, and < 0.4 mm modified zeolite, respectively. Prolonged tailing of chromate desorption from the modified zeolite was the most striking feature after the feeding solution was switched from chromate to water at full breakthrough. Monitoring of HDTMA and counterion bromide concentration in the effluent revealed that slow but persistent desorption of HDTMA and bromide occurred throughout the transport experiment, which resulted in stripping off of the upper layer of the surfactant bilayer formation on zeolite. The change of HDTMA surfactant surface configuration from bilayer to monolayer resulted in a loss of functionality to absorb and immobilize chromate on the modified zeolite surfaces.

Zeolite Mediated Reactions: Mechanistic Aspects and Environmental Applications

An overview is presented of basic research and applications for the use of zeolites in environmentally-related topics. The use of these materials to promote oxidation reactions, and other catalytic processes is surveyed along with ship-in-a-bottle synthesis of particular zeolite-encapsulated catalysts. Methods for probing the surfaces of zeolites using spin-probes and ESR detection are mentioned. The ability of some thermally activated zeolites to produce spontaneously radical cations by single-electron oxidation of organic molecules is reviewed. The issue of the degree of acidity of H-zeolites is discussed, which demonstrates them not to be super-acids. Some ESR determinations of the adsorption of NOx species onto selected zeolites are reviewed and the use of zeolites to catalyse desulfurisation of hydrocarbons is considered. Finally, there is mention made of the use of zeolites to catalyse hydrodechlorination of CFC's and other organic chlorine-containing compounds. Surfactant-modified zeolites (SMZ) for use as polyfunctional decontamination agents are further discussed. Theoretical methods, e.g. Density Functional Theory (DFT), are finding their own application to studying the mechanisms of reactions that are mediated by zeolites as is shown throughout.

Preparation and application of organo-modified zeolitic material in the removal of chromates and iodides

The removal of chromates and iodides from aqueous solutions by organo-modified tuffs from the Pentolofos area (Thrace, Greece) was investigated using (51)Cr- and (131)I-labelled solutions and gamma-ray spectroscopy. The zeolitic material was modified by hexadecyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (HDTMA-Br) and octadecyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (ODTMA-Br) and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, FT-IR spectrometry and zeta potential measurements. Both experimental study and modelling indicated that both organo-zeolitic sorbents have a bigger affinity for iodide than for chromate. The chromium uptake did not seem to be influenced by the type of modifier but showed, as expected, a dependence on the solution pH. The maximum sorption capacity (2.27 mg/g) of Cr(VI) was achieved for the solution of initial pH 4. On the other hand, the HDTMA-modified tuff showed a lower sorption affinity for iodides than did the ODTMA-modified one (3.37 and 4.02 mg/g, respectively).

Adsorption of chromate by clinoptilolite exchanged with various metal cations

Unmodified zeolite surfaces show no affinity for anions, due to the fact that zeolites are negatively charged. Thus, adsorption of anions by zeolites has not been given much attention. In this work, after modification of clinoptilolite by different cations, the mineral was found to adsorb a considerable amount of the divalent anion chromate. Chromate adsorption was proportional to the K(sp) of the chromate precipitate and the amount of the exchangeable cation. The amount of chromate adsorbed was maximized when the Pb-exchanged form was used. Chromate desorption in deionized water indicated that between 2.50% and 18.60% of the adsorbed chromate was released depending upon the exchangeable cation. Some of the exchanged forms are candidate materials for adsorption and immobilization of chromate.

51V(n, beta)52Cr reaction for neutron dosimetry: development and assessment of a spectrophotometric method for determination of Cr in vanadium at sub ppm level

With a view to monitoring the changes in coloration caused by the nuclear reaction 51V(n, beta)52Cr in solution of vanadyl sulphate and using it for neutron dosimetry, electronic absorption spectra of vanadyl sulphate solutions were investigated at different concentrations of chromate impurity in micromolar range. It was observed that the presence of chromate enhances the absorptivity over a wide wavelength range serving essentially as a colouring agent for vanadium matrix, presumably due to charge transfer process. The absorbance at 380 nm varied linearly over a wide concentration range. The limit of detection of chromate obtained is shown to be adequate for detecting neutron-induced chemical transmutation of vanadium to chromium under standard reactor conditions, when used with long path length cells. It was observed that the absorbance does not change on electron irradiation, suggesting that radiolytic effects due to beta decay, if any, do not interfere in the measurement of neutron-induced changes. In addition to its potential for neutron dosimetry, this is the first report of a simple and direct method of estimation of Cr in vanadium matrix at sub ppm level.

Sorption of arsenic from soil-washing leachate by surfactant-modified zeolite

Post-treatment of leachate from soil-washing remedial actions may be necessary depending on the amounts of dissolved contaminants present. Uptake of arsenic species by surfactant-modified zeolite (SMZ) from a synthetic soil leachate (pH of approximately 12 [NaOH]) was measured as a test of SMZ as a post-treatment sorbent. Batch sorption isotherms were prepared using leachate to SMZ ratios from 40:1 to 4:1, and temperatures of 25 and 15 degrees C. Equilibrium levels of dissolved and total solution arsenic were similar. At each temperature, sorption appeared to reach a plateau or maximum, then decreased at the highest solution concentration, corresponding to the lowest amount of zeolite added (2.5 g). A maximum sorption value of 72.0 mmol of arsenic per kg of SMZ (5400 mg/kg) was observed at 25 degrees C, and 42.1 mmol/kg (3150 mg/kg) at 15 degrees C. Total arsenic recoveries varied from 74 to 125%. Surfactant-modified zeolite removed up to 97% of dissolved organic carbon and decolorized the leachate solutions. Excluding the points for the highest arsenic to SMZ ratio, the sorption isotherms were well described by the linearized form of the Langmuir equation, with coefficients of determination greater than 0.90 at both temperatures. Sorption of arsenic by SMZ is attributed to anion exchange with counterions on the surfactant head groups, and/or partitioning of organic carbon-complexed arsenic into the surfactant bilayer.

Influence of quaternary ammonium on sorption of selected metal cations onto clinoptilolite zeolite

Clay minerals and zeolites have large cation exchange capacities, which enable them to be modified by cationic surfactant to enhance their sorption of organic and anionic contaminants. In this study, the influence of quaternary ammonium surfactants on sorption of five metal cations (Cs+, Sr+, La3+, Pb2+, and Zn2+) onto a clinoptilolite zeolite was investigated. Generally, the metal cation sorption capacity and affinity for the zeolite decreased, indicating that presorbed cationic surfactants blocked sorption sites for metal cations, as the surfactant loading on the zeolite increased. Cesium and Pb2+ sorption was affected to a small extent, indicating that selective sorption for Cs+ and specific sorption for Pb2+ play an important role in addition to cation exchange. Sorption of cationic surfactants on zeolite preloaded with different metal cations showed a strong correlation with the chain length of the surfactant tail group, while the roles of the charges and types of the metal cations were minimal. As the chain length increases, the critical micelle concentration decreases and the surfactant molecules become more hydrophobic, resulting in progressive bilayer coverage. Desorption of presorbed metal cations by cationic surfactants was strongly affected by the surfactant chain length and metal type. More metal cations, particularly Sr2+ and Zn2+, desorbed with an increase in surfactant chain length. The results, in combination with those from organic and oxyanion sorption on surfactant-modified zeolite, may be used for future surfactant modification to target sorption and desorption of a specific type of contaminant or a mixture of different types of contaminants.

Retention of inorganic oxyanions by organo-kaolinite

A natural kaolinite (KGa-1b) was treated with the surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA-Br) to a level twice that of the cation exchange capacity (CEC). Sorption of nitrate, arsenate, and chromate by the resultant organo-kaolinite was then quantified. Sorption of each oxyanion was well-described by the Langmuir isotherm. Sorption of nitrate was the greatest, with a Langmuir sorption maximum of 24 mmol/kg, although chromate showed the highest sorption affinity of 20 L/kg. Sorption of nitrate, arsenate, and chromate on organo-kaolinite was at least two orders of magnitude greater than their sorption on unmodified kaolinite. Desorption of the bromide counterion indicated that each of the oxyanions was retained by ion exchange on an HDTMA bilayer formed on the organo-kaolinite. Chromate sorption on the organo-kaolinite was unaffected by solution pH in the range 5-9, but decreased at pH 11 due to competition of OH- for anion exchange sites. Similarly, chromate exchange by organo-kaolinite was reduced in the presence of high background levels of chloride. Chromate was effectively retained when flowing through a packed bed of organo-kaolinite: after an input of more than 40 pore volumes, the effluent concentration of chromate was less than 10% of the input concentration, and 90% of the original HDTMA remained on the organo-kaolinite. The results demonstrate that properly prepared organoclays can remove oxyanions, as well as nonpolar organics, from contaminated waters.