A contribution to the study of phosphate sorption by three Greek fly ashes

Three fly ashes from Greece, produced from lignite burning, proved efficient in removing phosphate from solution. Maximum amounts of phosphate removed ranged from 0.064 to 0.099 mmol PO³ ₄ ^– per g of material. Fly ashes that contained higher amounts of calcite and anhydrite seemed to be better sinks for phosphate. From the various adsorption isotherm equations tested, the Langmuir equation described phosphate sorption satisfactorily. Although, the exact mechanism of phosphate sorption could not be revealed, it is believed that it involved an adsorption and/or precipitation process.