Utilizing olive leaves biomass as an efficient adsorbent for ciprofloxacin removal: characterization, isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic analysis

Olive leaves were utilized to produce activated biomass for the removal of ciprofloxacin (CIP) from water. The raw biomass (ROLB) was activated with sodium hydroxide, phosphoric acid, and Dead Sea water to create co-precipitated adsorbent (COLB) with improved adsorption performance. The characteristics of the ROLB and COLB were examined using SEM images, BET surface area analyzer, and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. COLB has a BET surface area of 7.763 m2/g, markedly higher than ROLB's 2.8 m2/g, indicating a substantial increase in adsorption sites. Through investigations on operational parameters, the optimal adsorption efficiency was achieved by COLB is 77.9% within 60 min, obtained at pH 6, and CIP concentration of 2 mg/mL. Isotherm studies indicated that both Langmuir and Freundlich models fit the adsorption data well for CIP onto ROLB and COLB, with R2 values exceeding 0.95, suggesting effective monolayer and heterogeneous surface adsorption. The Langmuir model revealed maximum adsorption capacities of 636 mg/g for ROLB and 1243 mg/g for COLB, highlighting COLB's superior adsorption capability attributed to its enhanced surface characteristics post-modification. Kinetic data fitting the pseudo-second-order model with R2 of 0.99 for ROLB and 1 for COLB, along with a higher calculated qe for COLB, suggest its modified surface provides more effective binding sites for CIP, enhancing adsorption capacity. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that the adsorption process is spontaneous (∆Go < 0), and exothermic (∆Ho < 0), and exhibits a decrease in randomness (∆So < 0) as the process progresses. The ΔH° value of 10.6 kJ/mol for ROLB signifies physisorption, whereas 35.97 kJ/mol for COLB implies that CIP adsorption on COLB occurs through a mixed physicochemical process.

Surface activity, kinetics, thermodynamics and comparative study of adsorption of selected cationic and anionic dyes onto H3PO4-functionalized bagasse from aqueous stream

The discharge of dyes into the water body creates toxicity to aquatic organisms because of their aromatic structure and difficult degradation. So, the treatment of dye-contaminated wastewater is required before releasing it. In the present study, thermally treated (600 °C) and H3PO4 (55%)-functionalized bagasse, henceforth called thermochemically activated bagasse (TCAB), was synthesized as potential adsorbent for the effective removal of selected cationic and anionic dyes from their aqueous stream. TCAB characterization was done employing FT-IR, SEM, XRD, zeta potential, BET, and PZC techniques. The comparative study shows that the relative adsorption on TCAB followed the sequence, methyl red (185 mg/g) > safranin (178 mg/g) > congo red (146 mg/g) > brilliant green (139 mg/g) > malachite green (130 mg/g) > bromocresol green (94 mg/g). The adsorption efficiency was investigated concerning the effect of change in TCAB dose (0.05-0.3 g/100 mL), initial dye concentration (20-200 mg/L), pH (4.0-10.0), ionic strength (0.1-0.5 M KCl), urea concentration (0.1-0.5 M) and temperature (25-45 °C). The representative adsorption isotherms belong to typical L-type. The time-dependent dye removal was best explained by the pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic model (R2 = 0.9859-0.9991), while equilibrium data were best explained by the Freundlich model (R2 = 0.9881-0.9961). Thermodynamic study showed the spontaneous (ΔG0 <0) and exothermic nature (ΔH0 <0) of the adsorption of different cationic and anionic dyes. The cyclic adsorption ability of TCAB for different dyes was checked up to three cycles (185 to 168 mg/L for MR, 178 to 165 mg/L for SF, 146 to 130 mg/L for CR, 139 to 127 mg/L for BG, 130 to 114 mg/L for MG and 94 to 80 mg/L for BCG), and no significant decrease in the adsorption capacity was noticed. So, the present study provides valuable insights into the adsorption of cationic and anionic dyes onto H3PO4-functionalized bagasse. Addressing the adsorptive aspects enhances the clarity, reliability and applicability of the study's findings and contributes to its overall scientific impact.

Total organic carbon content as an index to estimate the sorption capacity of micro- and nano-plastics for hydrophobic organic contaminants

The worldwide existing micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) showed high sorption capacity for hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs), and thus leading to change of the environmental behaviors and fates of HOCs. However, there is a lack of general index for evaluating the sorption capacity of MNPs for HOCs. Herein, we investigated the sorption of chlorobenzene, naphthalene and phenanthrene to 10 MNPs of different polymer types with and without UV-aging, respectively. It was found that the sorption was well fitted by Freundlich isotherm model with coefficients R² in the range of 0.892-1.00, and aging of most MNPs resulted in decreased sorption capacity for naphthalene and phenanthrene but slightly increased sorption capacity for chlorobenzene. More importantly, for the 8 MNPs commonly present in the environment and with measured total organic carbon (TOC) covering the range of 23.0-91.9%, the logarithm sorption constant (logK_d) values of the studied HOCs positively correlated with TOC contents of MNPs, with a good determination coefficient (R²) of 0.923 for naphthalene, 0.694 for chlorobenzene, and 0.565 for phenanthrene. Our study demonstrated that the TOC content of MNPs is a good index for estimating the contribution of total MNPs to the sorption of nonpolar HOCs in the environmental media.

Photocatalysis and adsorption kinetics of azo dyes by nanoparticles of nickel oxide and copper oxide and their nanocomposite in an aqueous medium

Background

Azo dyes are recalcitrant organic pollutants present in textile industry effluents. Conventional treatment methods to remove them come with a range of disadvantages. Nanoparticles and their nanocomposites offer more efficient, less expensive and easy to handle wastewater treatment alternative.

Methods

In this study, nanoparticles of nickel oxide (NiO-NPs), copper oxide (CuO-NPs) and their nanocomposite (NiO/CuO-NC) were synthesized using co-precipitation method. The functional groups present on the surface of synthesized nanomaterials were verified using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Surface morphology was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) whereas purity, shape and size of the crystallite were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The potential of these nanomaterials to degrade three dyes i.e., Reactive Red-2 (RR-2), Reactive Black-5 (RB-5) and Orange II sodium salt (OII) azo dyes, was determined in an aqueous medium under visible light (photocatalysis). The photodegradation effectiveness of all nanomaterials was evaluated under different factors like nanomaterial dose (0.02-0.1 g 10 mL^-1), concentration of dyes (20-100 mg L^-1), and irradiation time (60-120 min). They were also assessed for their potential to adsorb RR-2 and OII dyes.

Results

Results revealed that at optimum concentration (60 mgL^-1) of RR-2, RB-5, and OII dyes, NiO-NPs degraded 90, 82 and 83%, CuO-NPs degraded 49, 34, and 44%, whereas the nanocomposite NiO/CuO-NC degraded 92, 93, and 96% of the said dyes respectively. The nanomaterials were categorized as the efficient degraders of the dyes in the order: NiO/CuO-NC > NiO-NPs > CuO-NPs. The highest degradation potential shown by the nanocomposite was attributed to its large surface area, small particles size, and quick reactions which were proved by advance analytical techniques. The equilibrium and kinetic adsorption of RR-2 and OII on NiO-NPs, CuO-NPs, and NiO/CuO-NC were well explained with Langmuir and Pseudo second order model, respectively (R² ≥ 0.96). The maximum RR-2 adsorption (103 mg/g) was obtained with NiO/CuO-NC. It is concluded that nanocomposites are more efficient and promising for the dyes degradation from industrial wastewater as compared with dyes adsorption onto individual NPs. Thus, the nanocomposite NiO/CuO-NC can be an excellent candidate for photodegradation as well as the adsorption of the dyes in aqueous media.

Rational synthesis and characterization of highly water stable MOF@GO composite for efficient removal of mercury (Hg2+) from water

The present study is aimed at adsorptive removal of Mercury (Hg²⁺) using highly functionalized nanomaterials based on Graphene Oxide Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework composite (ZIF-67@GO). Solvothermal methodology was used to synthesize ZIF-67@GO composite. Synthesized compounds were confirmed by FTIR, SEM, PXRD and EDX analysis. The as-prepared ZIF-67@GO was tested as efficient adsorbent for effective removal of Mercury (Hg²⁺) from aquatic environment. The atomic adsorption spectrophotometer was used to monitor the process of adsorption of Hg⁺² on ZIF-67@GO. From the adsorption data, the maximum removal efficiency achieved was 91.1% using 10 mg amount of composite for 50 mL using 20 ppm Mercury (Hg²⁺) solution. Different parameters like pH, contact time, concentration, adsorption kinetics and isotherm were also examined to explore adsorption process. Adsorption data fitted well for Freundlich Model having R² value of 0.9925 than Langmuir Isotherm with R² value of 0.9238. Kinetics were rapid and excellently described via 2nd order model with R² = 0.99946 than 1st order model with R² value of 0.8836. Freundlich and pseudo 2nd order models validated that multilayer chemisorption occurs during adsorption process due to the presence of highly functionalized sites on ZIF-67@GO composite. The synthesized composite material has shown excellent reusability. Thus, water stable ZIF-67@GO composites can efficiently be used for Mercury (Hg²⁺) confiscation from water.

Glyphosate, AMPA, and metsulfuron-methyl retention in the main horizons of a Typic Argiudoll

Retention is one of the processes controlling the behavior and fate of pesticides in soil. The objective of this work was to evaluate the adsorption and desorption of glyphosate, AMPA, and metsulfuron-methyl in the main horizons of a Typic Argiudoll destined for agricultural use. For this purpose, the batch equilibrium method was used at a range of concentrations for each compound. Desorption was performed in three consecutive steps after the adsorption experiment. The results obtained showed strong adsorption of glyphosate and AMPA in the three horizons, following the trend B > A > C, with weak desorption. Metsulfuron-methyl, on the other hand, showed weak adsorption in the three horizons, following the trend A > B > C, with relevant desorption. Our results allow us to identify metsulfuron-methyl as the compound that poses the greatest environmental risk in terms of the potential contamination of other areas and groundwater. However, despite their strong adsorption and weak desorption, glyphosate and AMPA also represent potential contaminants of other environmental matrices.

Modification of coal fly ash and its use as low-cost adsorbent for the removal of directive, acid and reactive dyes

Directive, acid and reactive dyes are the carcinogenic dyes which have complex structures and difficult to remove from the industrial wastewater. In this study, coal fly ash (CFA) was modified with HCl and NaOH solution and used for the removal of direct fast scarlet 4BS, direct sky blue 5B, acid navy blue R, and reactive turquoise blue KN-G dyes. Laboratory experiments were carried out to analyze the performance of modified coal fly ash (MCFA) to check the removal efficiency and adsorption capacity of dyes. The maximum removal efficiency of direct fast scarlet 4BS and direct sky blue 5B were recorded 96.03% and 93.820%, respectively using 0.05 g adsorbent dosage at 100 mg/L initial concentration. The results of MCFA were compared with carbon black, chitosan, starch, zeolite and unmodified coal fly ash (UMCFA) at lower dosage 0.05 g and higher dosage 0.4 g. Adsorption isotherm were analyzed by Langmuir and Freundlich model by different dyes concentrations, the result stated that Freundlich and Langmuir model (±0.9918, ±0.9974) was fitted by chemisorption and physisorption methods for all four dyes. Adsorption kinetic were also determined by Pseudo-first-order and Pseudo-second-order at different contact times with dye molecules and adsorbent active sites, and the results showed that the adsorption behaviors of all four dyes were described better by pseudo-second-order kinetics than pseudo-first-order kinetics. Recommended dosage of modified fly ash is between 10 ‱ to 20 ‱ for simulated textile industrial waste water and regeneration temperature is 300 ℃.

Adsorption characteristics of Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) on carbon nanotube-hydroxyapatite

Based on batch experiments, we investigate the adsorption characteristics of Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) on multi-walled carbon nanotube-hydroxyapatite (MWCNT-HAP) composites in detail and explore the effects of the solid-to-liquid ratio, pH, the ionic strength, reaction time and temperature on adsorption. The results show that the adsorption on MWCNT-HAP follows Pb(II)>Cu(II)>Cd(II). With an increasing solid-to-liquid ratio, the adsorption quantity of Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) on MWCNT-HAP decreases, whereas the removal efficiency increases. The optimal pH for adsorption is 4.0∼6.0. The effect of the ionic strength on the adsorption of Cd(II) is pronounced, whereas that on the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) is small. In the single-component system and ternary-component system, the adsorption processes for Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) on MWCNT-HAP have fast kinetics, and the pseudo-second-order kinetics model can well describe the adsorption kinetics of the three heavy metals. The adsorption of Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) on MWCNT-HAP is spontaneous and endothermic, and the Langmuir model can well simulate the isothermal adsorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II), whereas the Langmuir and Freundlich models can be used to describe the isothermal adsorption of Cd(II).

Comments on "High-efficiency removal of dyes from wastewater by fully recycling litchi peel biochar"

This paper provided further discussion on some identified mistakes and inconsistencies. Such problems included (1) the determination and discussion on the pH_PZC value of the biochar, (2) the excellent adsorption capacity of the biochar toward the dye contaminant, (3) the proposd adsorption mechanism (i.e., chemical adsorption) only based on the best fitting of the experimental data to the kinetic model (i.e., the pseudo-second-order or Elovich model), (4) the conception on the Freundlich model, and (5) the presentation of the adsorption mechanism involved in hydrogen bonding. Some other potential problems regarding the determination of adsorption capacity of an adsorbent towards an adsorbate (q_e; mg/g) were additionally discussed herein. It gives readers a gentle reminder that the initial concentration of adsorbate (also known as the blank sample; C_o) always plays a vital role in accurately calculating the q_e value. The C_o value from experiment (i.e., 254 mg/L or 245 mg/L) is often dissimilar to the C_o value from theory (i.e., 250 mg/L). The difference becomes enormously significant when the C_o value reaches very high concentration (i.e., 1000 mg/L) because an extremely high dilution factor is applied to determine the concentration of adsorbate in solution. The author hopes that the comments and contents in this paper will be particularly helpful for other researchers who are interested in the field of adsorption science and technology. Some highly-readable recent publications, which comprise the different types of paper as "comment", "discussion", "perspective", and "critical review", have also introduced in this paper. The expert reviewers and editors should give a great concern to such problems for further evaluations of submitted manuscripts in the field.

Adsorption-desorption behavior of benzobicyclon hydrolysate in different agricultural soils in China

Benzobicyclon is a systemic herbicide that was officially registered in China in 2018. The environmental behaviors of benzobicyclon hydrolysate (BH), the main metabolite and active product of benzobicyclon, remain poorly understood in paddy fields. Here, agricultural soil samples were collected from paddy fields in Jiangxi (Ferralsols), Shandong (Alisols), Hebei (Luvisols), Heilongjiang (Phaeozems), Zhejiang (Anthrosols), Sichuan (Gleysols), Hainan (Plinthosols), and Hubei (Lixisols) across China. The equilibrium oscillation method was used to study the adsorption-desorption behaviors of BH in the eight soils. The relationships between BH adsorption and soil physicochemical properties, environmental factors (temperature and initial solution pH), and other external conditions (addition of humic acid, biochar, and metal ions) were quantified. The adsorption-desorption parameters of BH in all soils were well fitted by the Freundlich model. The adsorption constant of BH varied between 0.066 and 4.728. The BH adsorption capacity decreased in the following order: Phaeozems > Alisols > Ferralsols > Lixisols > Plinthosols > Anthrosols > Luvisols > Gleysols. The Freundlich adsorption and desorption constants of BH were linearly positively correlated with soil clay content (R² = 0.711 and 0.709; P = 0.009 and 0.009, respectively), organic carbon content (R² = 0.684 and 0.672; P = 0.011 and 0.013, respectively), and organic matter content (R² = 0.698 and 0.683; P = 0.010 and 0.011, respectively); however, their linear relationships with soil cation exchange capacity were not significant (R² = 0.192 and 0.192; P = 0.278 and 0.278, respectively). The adsorption and desorption constants of BH had negative, albeit not significant, correlations with soil pH (R² = 0.104 and 0.100; P = 0.437 and 0.445, respectively). The adsorption of BH by soil occurred spontaneously and was mainly based on physical adsorption. Either low or high temperature reduced the ability of the soil to adsorb BH. The addition of humic acid to the soil increased BH adsorption, while the addition of biochar increased the solution pH, resulting in decreased BH adsorption. Cation type and ionic strength also had strong effects on BH adsorption. With the exception of Phaeozems, BH exhibited intermediate or high mobility in the agricultural soils and thus poses risks to surface water and groundwater.

Adsorption-desorption of doxycycline in agricultural soils: Batch and stirred-flow-chamber experiments

With the aim of obtaining information about the environmental fate and dynamics of the antibiotic doxycycline (DC) when it reaches soil, adsorption and desorption processes were studied for this compound in 20 agricultural soils, by means of batch-type and stirred-flow-chamber experiments. The results indicate that the studied soils adsorbed high amounts of DC, with adsorption percentages >91% in all cases. In addition, adsorption results were satisfactorily modeled, with good fittings to the Langmuir and Freundlich equations, with the values for Langmuir's maximum adsorption capacity (q_max) varying between 14,692 and 26,141 μmol kg^-1 (average 17,816), and between 1,906 and 13,120 Lⁿ μmol^1-n kg^-1 (average 6,969) for the Freundlich affinity coefficient, which are very high. The soil variables most related to the adsorption of the antibiotic were linked to organic matter (specifically, soil organic carbon-SOC- and soil nitrogen -N- contents), and to the clay fraction, as well as to cation exchange capacity, being the soils with a greater content in these variables those that presented a greater adsorption. FTIR results shown that DC adsorption mechanisms were based on interactions such as hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions between the antibiotic and soils. Desorption was very low, reaching values between 1 and 2% in batch experiments, and between 5 and 15% in stirred flow chamber experiments, which indicates a strong hysteresis affecting adsorption and desorption processes. This fact can be considered positively, as these soils could retain DC very strongly, thus reducing risks to human and ecological health.

Immobilization and sorption of Cd and Pb in contaminated stagnic anthrosols as amended with biochar and manure combined with inorganic additives

The present study evaluated the efficiency of pre-selected composite amendments (CA-1: biochar-lime-sepiolite-zeolite and CA-2: manure-lime-sepiolite) for immobilization and sorption of Cd and Pb in field and batch sorption experiments. The field experiment was performed in a co-contaminated clay purple soil (stagnic anthrosols). Along with a control experiment (T1), CA-1 and CA-2 were tested at different rates including 750, 1500, 3000 and 6000 kg ha^-1 by growing wheat as the test crop. The obtained results revealed that the highest dose of both composites (T5: 6000 kg ha^-1 and T9: 6000 kg ha^-1) increased the soil pH to 6.85 and 6.81, respectively as compared to the control (5.63). DTPA-extractable Cd and Pb contents decreased with composite treatments (T7 and T4) at harvest stage samples. Metal fractionation depicted that application of amendments decreased the exchangeable fraction at harvesting stage. Application of CA-2 and CA-1 (3000 kg ha^-1) significantly increased the plant biomass (by 28% and 24%, respectively) and grain yield (by 26% and 22%, respectively) of wheat. Furthermore, batch sorption experiment results revealed that Langmuir adsorption model better fitted the sorption results with R² values ranging between 0.99 and 0.91 for Cd and Pb, respectively. CA-1 and CA-2 exhibited the maximum adsorption capacity for Cd with no significant difference among treatments but Pb adsorption capacity was highest in CA-1 followed by CA-2 and control. The results of our experiments revealed that the application of organics combined with inorganic materials enhanced Cd and Pb immobilization and sorption, consequently reducing metals availability in laboratory and field conditions. Moreover, for field trials, application of the composite amendments at 3000 kg ha^-1 emerged as the suitable treatment for tested wheat-grown area.

Bleaching of sugar cane juice using a food-grade adsorber resin and explained by a kinetic model describing the variation in time of the content of adsorbate

This work studies the adsorption of colored compounds in cane juice using a food-grade macroporous adsorber resin without functional groups. The adsorption equilibrium was studied through the adsorption isotherms at 30, 40, and 50 ℃. The absorbance at 420 nm was used to measure the concentration of colored compounds, which enables correlation of the residual concentration with the adsorbed concentration. Furthermore, the efficiency of the adsorption process was studied, from which it was observed that there was an improvement in efficiency with increasing resin content, while the increase in temperature was less important in the process. The kinetic study was performed using the Ibarz model and intraparticle diffusion model, which correctly account for the kinetics of the adsorption process. The adsorption kinetic constant was always greater than the desorption kinetic constant, indicating that the adsorption step predominates over the desorption step.

Investigation of uranium (VI) adsorption by polypyrrole

The purpose of this study was to investigate the adsorption of uranium (VI) ions on the polypyrrole adsorbent. Polypyrrole was synthesized by a chemical method using polyethylene glycol, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as the surfactant and iron (III) chloride as an oxidant in the aqueous solution. The effect of various surfactants on the synthesized polymers and their performance as the uranium adsorbent were investigated. Adsorbent properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The effect of different parameters such as pH, contact time, initial metal ion concentrations, adsorbent dose, and the temperature was investigated in the batch system for uranium adsorption process. It has been illustrated that the adsorption equilibrium time is 7min. The results showed that the Freundlich model had the best agreement and the maximum adsorption capacity of polypyrrole for uranium (VI) was determined 87.72mg/g from Langmuir isotherm. In addition, the mentioned adsorption process was fast and the kinetic data were fitted to the Pseudo first and second order models. The adsorption kinetic data followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Moreover, the thermodynamic parameters ΔG⁰, ΔH⁰ and ΔS⁰ showed that the uranium adsorption process by polypyrrole was endothermic and spontaneous.

Enhancing phosphorus uptake and yield of wheat with phosphoric acid application in calcareous soil

BACKGROUND

Low phosphorus (P) availability to wheat from commercial fertilizers is one of the reasons for lower grain yield and hence justifies search for more efficient P source under alkaline calcareous soils.

RESULTS

Phosphoric acid (PA) and diammonium phosphate (DAP), applied through conventional and modified methods, were assessed for P supply and wheat yield in a calcareous soil. Under laboratory conditions, pre-incubated soil with 70 mg P kg^-1 soil as PA and DAP was assessed for solution P (C_p ) for 4 weeks. Phosphorus sorption data were fitted using the Freundlich model for describing analyzed sorption in soil incubated with or without DAP and PA. The fitted model equations exhibited comparatively higher effluxes of P from the solution system in control treatment. Compared to DAP, lower quantities (19.6%) of P for PA-treated soil were required for producing optimum P concentration in soil solution, i.e. 0.2 mg P L^-1 . The greenhouse study involved ³² P tracer technique to quantify the proportion of applied P derived by wheat from fertilizer or soil. The results showed that P derived from fertilizer was highest (47.5%) in PA placement, while the lowest (31.5%) was in DAP broadcast treatment. The field study also showed similar trends to that of the greenhouse study. The PA placement treatment resulted in highest (23.4%) phosphorus use efficiency, whereas the lowest one (17.1%) was recorded for DAP broadcast treatment.

CONCLUSION

PA proved to be a better P source than DAP for improving P content and achieving higher yield and recovery of applied P by wheat grown in alkaline calcareous soils. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Arsenic(V) adsorption-desorption in agricultural and mine soils: Effects of organic matter addition and phosphate competition

High total and bioavailable concentrations of As in soils represent a potential risk for groundwater contamination and entry in the food chain. The use of organic amendments in the remediation of As-contaminated soils has been found to produce distinct effects on the solubility of As in the soil. Therefore, knowledge about As adsorption-desorption processes that govern its solubility in soil is of relevance in order to predict the behaviour of this element during these processes. In this paper, the objective was to determine As adsorption and desorption in four different soils, with and without compost addition, and also in competition with phosphate, through the determination of sorption isotherms. Batch experiments were carried out using three soils affected differently by previous mining activity of the Sierra Minera of La Unión-Cartagena (SE Spain) and an agricultural soil from Segovia province (central Spain). Adsorption was higher in the mining soils (and highest in the acidic one) than in the agricultural soils, although the latter were not affected negatively by organic matter or phosphate competition for sorption sites. The results show that As adsorption in most soils, both with and without compost, fitted better a multimolecular layer model (Freundlich), whereas As adsorption in competition with P fitted a monolayer model (Langmuir). Moreover, the use of compost and phosphate reduced the adsorption of As in the mining soils, while in the agricultural soils compost increased their low adsorption capacity. Therefore, the use of compost can be a good option to favour As immobilisation in soils of low adsorption, but knowledge of the soil composition will be crucial to predict the effects of organic amendments on As solubility in soils and its associated environmental risk.

Evaluation of phosphorus adsorption capacity of sesame straw biochar on aqueous solution: influence of activation methods and pyrolysis temperatures

The phosphorus (P) adsorption characteristic of sesame straw biochar prepared with different activation agents and pyrolysis temperatures was evaluated. Between 0.109 and 0.300 mg L(-1) in the form of inorganic phosphate was released from raw sesame straw biochar in the first 1 h. The release of phosphate was significantly enhanced from 62.6 to 168.2 mg g(-1) as the pyrolysis temperature increased. Therefore, sesame straw biochar cannot be used as an adsorbent for P removal without change in the physicochemical characteristics. To increase the P adsorption of biochar in aqueous solution, various activation agents and pyrolysis temperatures were applied. The amount of P adsorbed from aqueous solution by biochar activated using different activation agents appeared in the order ZnCl2 (9.675 mg g(-1)) > MgO (8.669 mg g(-1)) ⋙ 0.1N-HCl > 0.1N-H2SO4 > K2SO4 ≥ KOH ≥ 0.1N-H3PO4, showing ZnCl2 to be the optimum activation agent. Higher P was adsorbed by the biochar activated using ZnCl2 under different pyrolysis temperatures in the order 600 °C > 500 °C > 400 °C > 300 °C. Finally, the amount of adsorbed P by activated biochar at different ratios of biochar to ZnCl2 appeared in the order 1:3 ≒ 1:1 > 3:1. As a result, the optimum ratio of biochar to ZnCl2 and pyrolysis temperature were found to be 1:1 and 600 °C for P adsorption, respectively. The maximum P adsorption capacity by activated biochar using ZnCl2 (15,460 mg kg(-1)) was higher than that of typical biochar, as determined by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Therefore, the ZnCl2 activation of sesame straw biochar was suitable for the preparation of activated biochar for P adsorption.