Recycling agriculture wastes of ramie stalk as bioadsorbents for Cd(2+) removal: a kinetic and thermodynamic study

Phosphate-functionalized ramie stalk adsorbent for efficient removal of Zn2+ from water: adsorption performance, mechanism, and fixed-bed column treatment of real wastewater

A highly efficient adsorbent functionalized with phosphate groups made from a local agricultural waste, ramie stalk, was designed for Zn²⁺ removal from water. SEM, EDS, FTIR, zeta potential, and XPS tests were used to study the morphology and properties of modified ramie stalk (RS-P). The results showed that the phosphate groups were successfully grafted to the surface of the ramie stalk, which has a multilayered and porous structure and can provide large adsorption sites. Adsorption performance and mechanism were investigated in the static and dynamic adsorption experiments. The adsorption kinetics of Zn²⁺ by RS-P were better fitted by the pseudo-second-order model, indicating chemical adsorption. Adsorption isotherm was better described by Redlich-Peterson isotherm, which suggested heterogeneous and multi-site adsorption, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 0.558 mmol g^-1. The characterization of adsorbents before and after adsorption indicated that a combined action of electrostatic interaction and ion exchange was the primary mechanism of adsorption. Dynamic adsorption experiments with fixed-bed column displayed excellent water treatment capabilities. RS-P exhibited good reusability in 5 cycles without much deterioration in its adsorption performances. Complex co-existing ions impaired Zn²⁺ adsorption during real wastewater treatment. This research benefits agricultural waste recycling and provides safe water to ensure economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

Synergistic and concentration-dependent toxicity of multiple heavy metals compared with single heavy metals in Conocarpus lancifolius

While heavy metals (HMs) naturally occur in soil, anthropogenic activities can increase the level of these toxic elements. Conocarpus lancifolius Engl. (Combretaceae) was investigated as a potential phytoremediator of soils contaminated with HM containing crude oil. This study assessed the potential of C. lancifolius (CL), a locally available plant species in Kuwait, for resolving local issues of the HM-contaminated soils. The absorption, accumulation, and distribution of three toxic HMs (Cd, Ni, and Pb) and essential metals (Fe, Mg, and metalloid Se) were examined, and their role in plant toxicity and tolerance was evaluated. Conocarpus lancifolius plants were exposed to two different concentrations of single and mixed HMs for 30 days. The accumulation of HMs was determined in the roots, leaves, stems, and the soil using ICP/MS. Biomass, soil pH, proline and protein content, and bioaccumulation, extraction, and translocation factors were measured. The bioaccumulation, extraction, and transcription factors were all >1, indicating CC is a hyperaccumulator of HM. The HM accumulation in CL was concentration-dependent and depended on whether the plants were exposed to individual or mixed HMs. The C.C leaves, stems, and roots showed a significant accumulation of antioxidant constituents, such as proline, protein, Fe, Mg, and Se. There was an insignificant increase in the soil pH, and a decrease in plant biomass and a significant increase in protein, and osmoprotective-proline as a result of the interaction of mixed heavy metals that are more toxic than single heavy metals. This study indicates that C. lancifolius is a good candidate for phytoremediation of multiple HM-contaminated soils. Further studies to establish the phyto-physiological effect of multiple heavy metals are warranted.

Adsorption characteristics of Pb(II) using biochar derived from spent mushroom substrate

As a multifunctional material, biochar is considered a potential adsorbent for removing heavy metals from wastewater. Most biochars with high adsorption capacities have been modified, but this modification is uneconomical, and modifying biochar may cause secondary pollution. Thus, it is necessary to develop an efficient biochar without modification. In this study, spent P. ostreatus substrate and spent shiitake substrate were used as the raw materials to prepare biochar. Then, the physicochemical properties of the biochars and their removal efficiencies for Pb(II) were investigated. The results showed that the physicochemical properties (e.g., large BET surface area, small pore structure and abundant functional groups) contributed to the large adsorption capacity for Pb(II); the maximum adsorption capacities were 326 mg g-1 (spent P. ostreatus substrate-derived biochar) and 398 mg g-1 (spent shiitake substrate-derived biochar), which are 1.6-10 times larger than those of other modified biochars. The Pb(II) adsorption data could be well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir model. This study provides a new method to comprehensively utilize spent mushroom substrates for the sustainable development of the edible mushroom industry.

Removal of Lead and Cadmium Ions from Aqueous Solution by Adsorption on a Low-Cost Phragmites Biomass

In recent years, the interest in waste water treatment increased to preserve the environment. The objective of this study is the removal of lead and cadmium ions from aqueous solution by treated Phragmites biomass (TPB). TPB was characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS) which indicates the presence of functional groups that may be responsible of metal adsorption such as hydroxyl, carbonyl, sulfonate and carboxylate. Characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and surface area analysis using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method (BET) illustrated that TPB is nonporous with a small surface area. The influences of various experimental factors were investigated; the proposed method recommended the extraction of Pb+2 and Cd+2 metal ions by TPB at pH 5.0. A contact time of 60 and 45 min was required for the adsorption 50 mL (50 ppm) Pb+2 and Cd+2 respectively to reach equilibrium when 0.10 g TPB was used. The optimum TPB dosage was 0.20 g for adsorption both metal ions when adsorbate solution was 50 mL (50 ppm). Particle sizes of 0.125–0.212 mm showed the best metal ion removal of both metal ions. Thermodynamic study illustrated that both metal ions correlate more with Langmuir isotherm. Furthermore, chemisorption of Pb+2 and Cd+2 on TPB was more likely according to kinetic study data.