Modeling the competitive effect of phosphate, sulfate, silicate, and tungstate anions on the adsorption of molybdate onto goethite

The mobility of Mo in soils and sediments depends on several factors including soil mineralogy and the presence of other oxyanions that compete with Mo for the adsorbent's retention sites. Batch experiments addressing Mo adsorption onto goethite were conducted with phosphate, sulfate, silicate, and tungstate as competing anions in order to produce competitive two anions adsorption envelopes, as well as competitive two anions adsorption isotherms. Tungstate and phosphate appear to be the strongest competitors of Mo for the adsorption sites of goethite, whereas little competitive effects were observed in the case of silicate and sulfate. Mo adsorption isotherm from a phosphate solution was similar to the one from a tungstate solution. The charge distribution multi-site complexation (CD-MUSIC) model was used to predict competitive adsorption between MoO(4)(2-) and other anions (i.e., phosphate, sulfate, silicate and tungstate) using model parameters obtained from the fitting of single ion adsorption envelopes. CD-MUSIC results strongly agree with the experimental adsorption envelopes of molybdate over the pH range from 3.5 to 10. Furthermore, CD-MUSIC prediction of the molybdate adsorption isotherm show a satisfactory fit of the experimental results. Modeling results suggest that the diprotonated monodentate complexes, FeOW(OH)(5)(-0.5) and FeOMo(OH)(5)(-0.5), were respectively the dominant complexes of adsorbed W and Mo on goethite 110 faces at low pH. The model suggests that Mo and W are retained mainly by the formation of monodentate complexes on the goethite surface. Our results indicate that surface complexation modeling may have applications in predicting competitive adsorption in more complex systems containing multiple competing ions.     

Effects of organic acids on adsorption of lead onto montmorillonite,goethite and humic acid

Adsorption isotherms for Pb onto six soil components (quartz, feldspar, kaolinite, montmorillonite, goethite and humic acid) were studied. The influence of pH, EDTA and citric acid on the adsorption of Pb onto montmorillonite, goethite and humic acid were considered. Results indicate that the experimental data fit the Langmuir Adsorption Isotherm. The adsorption capacity for Pb at pH 6 was found to be in the order: humic acid (22.7 mg g(-1)) > goethite (11.04 mg g(-1)) > montmorillonite (10.4 mg g(-1)) > kaolinite (0.91 mg g(-1)) > feldspar (0.503 mg g(-1)) > quartz (0.148 mg g(-1)). Generally, the amount of Pb adsorbed onto montmorillonite, goethite and humic acid decreased with increasing concentrations of EDTA and citric acid and with increases in alkality. However, there were two exceptions: (1) addition of citric acid increased the amount of Pb adsorbed onto humic acid; and (2) the amount of Pb adsorbed onto goethite decreased with increasing pH in the presence of EDTA. Some mechanisms involved in the adsorption reactions are discussed.     

Sorption of 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid to goethite, lepidocrocite and ferrihydrite: batch experiments and infrared study

The adsorption of naphthoic acids to iron oxides and hydroxides influences strongly their mobility in soils and sediments. Sorption of 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (HNA) to three iron oxides was examined over a wide range of conditions (pH, ionic strength, sorbate and sorbent concentrations). In the examination of HNA sorption, Tempkin model was performed to fit sorption data of HNA onto all iron oxides. The adsorption in the Henry law range increases in the order: goethite相似文献   

Modeling competitive adsorption of molybdate, sulfate, selenate, and selenite using a Freundlich-type multi-component isotherm

This study examined the interactions of MoO4(2-) + SO4(2-), MoO4(2-) + SeO4(2-), and MoO4(2-) + SeO3(2-) systems on gamma-Al2O3 to better understand the competitive adsorption of these anions in the natural environment. The Freundlich isotherms of anionic adsorption onto gamma-Al2O3 in single and binary solutes were also investigated to estimate the competition between these anions. Experimental results indicate that a higher concentration of competitive solute yields a higher efficiency of the competitive solute's prevention of MoO4(2-) adsorption. The most significant result was found in the MoO4(2-) + SeO3(2-) system. The Freundlich isotherm constant (n) increases with the competitive solute concentration. The suitability of a Freundlich-type isotherm, the Sheindorf-Rebuhn-Sheintuch (SRS) equation, and the modified SRS equation in representing the competitive adsorption of MoO4(2-), SO4(2-), SeO4(2-), and SeO3(2-) on gamma-Al2O3 surface, was also examined. Each set of isotherm data was found to conform to linear SRS expressions, allowing competition coefficients to be derived on a concentration basis for each binary-solute system. The competition coefficient aij and relative affinity coefficients alphaij can be seen as a way to quantify competitive interactions. The proposed SRS and modified SRS equations are simple mathematical expressions accounting for competitive interactions of anions present in a mixture for the range of concentrations over which each individual component exhibits Freundlich behavior.     

Adsorption and desorption of cadmium by goethite pretreated with phosphate

The adsorption of Cd by oxides or soils have been extensively studied, however, the desorption has received relatively limited attention, especially in the presence of phosphate. In this study, a batch equilibration method was used to investigate Cd sorption and desorption by goethite pretreated with phosphate. Phosphate not only enhanced Cd adsorption, but also accelerated the adsorption process. Compared with Cd adsorption by goethite alone, phosphate substantially moved the adsorption curves (edges) to lower pH range, indicative of enhancement of Cd sorption. The Cd adsorption by the pretreated goethite reached apparent equilibrium within 24 h at 20 degrees C, while such equilibrium was not observed after 4 weeks in the absence of phosphate. Cadmium was more readily released from phosphate-treated goethite. It is believed that phosphate blocked the pores on goethite surface, which lead to the fast adsorption kinetics and high extraction percentage. These results provided strong support for the diffusion of Cd into goethite particles.     

Bioavailability and mass balance studies of a commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether mixture in male Sprague-Dawley rats

Cyanogenic glycosides are common plant toxins. Toxic hydrogen cyanide originating from cyanogenic glycosides may affect soil processes and water quality. In this study, hydrolysis, degradation and sorption of dhurrin (4-hydroxymandelonitrile-beta-d-glucoside) produced by sorghum has been studied in order to assess its fate in soil. The log K(ow) of dhurrin was -1.18+/-0.08 (22 degrees C). Hydrolysis was a first-order reaction with respect to dhurrin and hydroxyl ion concentrations. Half lives ranged from 1.2h (pH 8.6; 25 degrees C) to 530d (pH 4; 25 degrees C). The activation energy of hydrolysis was 112+9kJ. At pH 5.8 and room temperature, addition of humic acids (50gl(-1)) increased the rate of hydrolysis tenfold, while addition of kaolinite or goethite (100-250gl(-1)) both decreased the rate considerably. No significant sorption to soil components could be observed. The degradation rates of dhurrin in top and subsoils of Oxisols, Ultisols, Alfisols and Mollisols were studied at 22 degrees C (25mgl(-1), soil:liquid 1:1 (w:V), pH 3.8-8.1). Half-lives were 0.25-2h for topsoils, and 5-288h in subsoils. Hydrolysis in solution explained up to 45% of the degradation in subsoils whereas the contribution in topsoils was less than 14%, indicating the importance of enzymatic degradation processes. The highest risk of dhurrin leaching will take place when the soil is a low activity acid shallow soil with low content of clay minerals, iron oxides and humic acids.     

Predicting molybdenum toxicity to higher plants: Influence of soil properties

The effect of soil properties on the toxicity of molybdenum (Mo) to four plant species was investigated. Soil organic carbon or ammonium-oxalate extractable Fe oxides were found to be the best predictors of the 50% effective dose (ED₅₀) of Mo in different soils, explaining > 65% of the variance in ED₅₀ for four species except for ryegrass (26-38%). Molybdenum concentrations in soil solution and consequently plant uptake were increased when soil pH was artificially raised because sorption of Mo to amorphous oxides is greatly reduced at high pH. The addition of sulphate significantly decreased Mo uptake by oilseed rape. For risk assessment, we suggest that Mo toxicity values for plants should be normalised using soil amorphous iron oxide concentrations.     

Removal of arsenic(V) from aqueous solutions using iron-oxide-coated modified activated carbon.

Removal of arsenic(V) from aqueous solutions was evaluated with the following three different sorption materials: coal-based activated carbon 12 x 40 (activated carbon), iron(II) oxide (FeO)/activated carbon-H, and iron oxide. The apparent characteristics and physical chemistry performances of these adsorbents were investigated by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption, and scanning electronic microscope. Also, batch experiments for arsenic removal were performed, and the effects of pH value on arsenic(V) removal were studied. The results suggest that the main phases of the iron oxide surface are magnetite, maghemite, hematite, and goethite; fine and uniform iron oxide particles can cover activated carbon surfaces and affect the surface area or pore structures of activated carbon; adsorption kinetics obey a pseudo-first-order rate equation; and adsorption capacities of adsorbents are affected by the values of pH. The optimum value of pH for iron oxide lies in a narrow range between 4.0 and 5.5, and arsenic(V) removal by FeO/activated carbon-H is ideal and stable in the pH range 3 to 7, while activated carbon has the lowest adsorption capacity in the entire pH range. Also, the adsorption characteristics of FeO/activated carbon-H composites and virgin activated carbon match well the Langmuir adsorption model, while those of iron oxide fit well the Freundlich adsorption model.     

Mutual effects of cadmium and phosphate on their adsorption and desorption by goethite

Adsorption of cadmium (Cd) and phosphate by oxides or soils has been extensively studied, but the adsorption/desorption kinetics and mutual effects of these two species in co-existing systems has received little attention. In this study, a batch equilibration method was used to investigate the effect of phosphate and its application time on Cd adsorption and desorption on goethite. The influence of Cd and its application time on phosphate sorption and desorption kinetics was also determined. For Cd adsorption, phosphate was introduced into the system by two sequences: pre-treating goethite at 40 (degrees)C for 1 week, and applying with Cd simultaneously. Similarly, for phosphate sorption, Cd was applied by pre-treating goethite at 40 (degrees)C for 1 week or simultaneous addition with phosphate. Results demonstrated that phosphate added to goethite enhanced Cd adsorption, and facilitated Cd release as compared to untreated goethite. Cadmium had slightly higher adsorption, but a significantly faster desorption rate from the goethite simultaneously treated with phosphate and Cd, as compared to phosphate-pretreated goethite. Cadmium and its application time had little impact on phosphate sorption by goethite. However, phosphate desorption kinetics was affected by Cd application time. When the sorption time was short (15 min), phosphate desorption was faster from the goethite that was simultaneously treated with phosphate and Cd, as compared to Cd pretreated or untreated goethite. In contrast, a longer sorption time (4 weeks) resulted in a higher desorption rate of phosphate from Cd pretreated goethite than simultaneously phosphate-Cd treated goethite. This study provided useful information on adsorption/desorption kinetics in complicated Cd-phosphate-goethite systems.     

Cadmium adsorption and desorption behaviour on goethite at low equilibrium concentrations: effects of pH and index cations

The transport and bioavailability of cadmium is governed mainly by its adsorption-desorption reactions with minerals such as goethite--a common iron oxide mineral in variable charged and highly weathered tropical soils. Soil factors such as pH, temperature, solution Cd concentration, ionic strength and ageing affect Cd adsorption on goethite. The desorption behaviour of Cd from goethite at low concentrations is not fully understood. This study investigates the adsorption-desorption of Cd at low Cd concentrations (Cd adsorbed on goethite from 20 to 300 microM Cd solutions) in Na and Ca nitrate solutions of 0.03 M nominal ionic strengths. Synthetic goethite prepared by ageing a ferric hydroxide gel at high pH and room temperature was used for Cd adsorption and desorption studies. For desorption experiment 10 successive desorptions were made for the whole range of initial Cd concentrations (20-300 microM) in the presence of 0.01 M Ca(NO3)2 or 0.03 M NaNO3 solutions. Cadmium adsorption was found to be higher in Na+ than Ca2+ probably due to the competition of Ca2+ ions with Cd2+ ions for adsorption sites on the surfaces of goethite. The effect of index cation on Cd adsorption diminished with increase in pH from 5.0 to 6.0. Cadmium desorption decreased with increase in pH from 5.0 to 6.0 in both Na and Ca systems. After 10 successive desorptions with 0.03 M NaNO3 at the lowest initially adsorbed Cd approximately 45%, 20% and 7% of the adsorbed Cd was desorbed at pH 5.0, 5.5 and 6.0, respectively. The corresponding desorptions in the presence of 0.01 M Ca(NO3)2 were 49%, 22% and 8%, respectively. The Freundlich parameter, k, based on each progressive step of desorption at different adsorbed concentration increased with increasing desorption step, which may indicates that a fraction of Cd was resistant to desorption. Low Cd desorbability from goethite may be due to its specific adsorption and/or possibly as a result of Cd entrapment in the cracks or defects in goethite structure.     

pH及Zn2+对土壤和铁、铝氧化物吸附苄嘧磺隆的影响

用平衡吸附法研究了3种供试样品(广州赤红壤、铝氧化物、针铁矿)对苄嘧磺隆的等温吸附,同时研究了pH及Zn2 对供试样品吸附苄嘧磺隆的影响.结果表明,在实验所用的苄嘧磺隆的浓度范围内,供试样品对苄嘧磺隆的吸附量各不相同;供试样品吸附苄嘧磺隆的量随溶液pH及Zn2 浓度的改变而变化,且影响不尽相同,这主要与供试样品的组成有关.     

Effect of ethylenediamine-N,N′-disuccinic acid on Fenton and photo-Fenton processes using goethite as an iron source: optimization of parameters for bisphenol A degradation

The main disadvantage of using iron mineral in Fenton-like reactions is that the decomposition rate of organic contaminants is slower than in classic Fenton reaction using ferrous ions at acidic pH. In order to overcome these drawbacks of the Fenton process, chelating agents have been used in the investigation of Fenton heterogeneous reaction with some Fe-bearing minerals. In this work, the effect of new iron complexing agent, ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS), on heterogeneous Fenton and photo-Fenton system using goethite as an iron source was tested at circumneutral pH. Batch experiments including adsorption of EDDS and bisphenol A (BPA) on goethite, H₂O₂ decomposition, dissolved iron measurement, and BPA degradation were conducted. The effects of pH, H₂O₂ concentration, EDDS concentration, and goethite dose were studied, and the production of hydroxyl radical (^?OH) was detected. The addition of EDDS inhibited the heterogeneous Fenton degradation of BPA but also the formation of ^?OH. The presence of EDDS decreases the reactivity of goethite toward H₂O₂ because EDDS adsorbs strongly onto the goethite surface and alters catalytic sites. However, the addition of EDDS can improve the heterogeneous photo-Fenton degradation of BPA through the propagation into homogeneous reaction and formation of photochemically efficient Fe-EDDS complex. The overall effect of EDDS is dependent on the H₂O₂ and EDDS concentrations and pH value. The high performance observed at pH 6.2 could be explained by the ability of O ₂ ^?? to generate Fe(II) species from Fe(III) reduction. Low concentrations of H₂O₂ (0.1 mM) and EDDS (0.1 mM) were required as optimal conditions for complete BPA removal. These findings regarding the capability of EDDS/goethite system to promote heterogeneous photo-Fenton oxidation have important practical implications for water treatment technologies.     

Potential contributions of clay minerals and organic matter to pentachlorophenol retention in soils

Sorption of pentachlorophenol (PCP) by pure minerals and humic acids were measured to obtain additional perspective on the potential contributions of both clay minerals and soil organic matter (SOM) to contaminants retention in soils. Four types of common soil minerals and two kinds of humic acids (HAs) were tested. The sorption affinity for PCP conformed to an order of HAs > K-montmorillonite > Ca-montmorillonite > goethite > kaolinite. Such a difference in sorption capacity could be attributed to the crucial control of HAs. Clay minerals also had their contribution, especially K-montmorillonite, which played an important, if not dominant, role in the controlling process of PCP sorption. By removing 80% (on average) of the organic carbon from the soils with H(2)O(2), the sorption decreased by an average of 50%. The sorption reversibility had been greatly favored as well. Considering the uncharged mineral fractions in soil before and after H(2)O(2)-treated, the main variation in sorption behavior of the soil might thus be related to the removed organic carbon and the reduced pH. This testified rightly the interactive effect of SOM and clay minerals on PCP sorption as a function of pH.     

针铁矿对Pb~(2+)的吸附特征及影响因素研究

通过恒温振荡平衡法研究了Pb~(2+)在针铁矿上的等温吸附和吸附动力学特征,探讨了吸附的影响因素.结果表明:(1)随Pb~(2+)平衡浓度和pH的增大,针铁矿对Pb~(2+)的吸附量逐渐增大.(2)针铁矿对Pb~(2+)的等温吸附可用Freundlich和Langmuir方程较好地拟合.(3)在相同温度和pH下,随离子强度的提高,针铁矿对Pb~(2+)的吸附量增大.(4)在相同离子强度和pH下,针铁矿对Pb~(2+)的吸附量总体随温度升高而增大.针铁矿对Pb~(2+)的吸附是自发进行的吸热反应.(5)针铁矿吸附Pb~(2+)的过程可分为初始的快吸附和随后的慢吸附2个阶段.pH影响吸附反应快慢,随pH增大吸附速率增大;随着pH的增大,达到平衡吸附的时间缩短.吸附动力学方程用Elovich方程拟合最佳.     

Clay charge reversal effects on aqueous polymer sorption on lateritic soils

The effects of charge reversal about the measured point of zero charge (pH(0) approximately 5.2) of untreated and treated Sete Lagoas lateritic soil of Brazil on aqueous polymer sorption was investigated. The polymers are anionic sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMCA), nonionic polyethylene oxide (PEO), and cationic polyacrylamide (PAM). They were prepared at aqueous concentrations and pH ranges of 0.1-2.0 g l(-1) and 2-9, respectively. Soil treatment involved the removal of iron oxides by treatment with dithionate-bicarbonate-citrate. Batch sorption test results show that the presence of iron oxides in lateritic soil tends to suppress sorption of CMCA (especially at pH=pH(0)) and PEO (for the whole pH range) but has uncertain effects on cationic PAM sorption. CMCA sorption on the untreated soil improves on either side of pH(0), in direct proportionality to solution concentration, except at pH<4.0, where disassociation of the polymer molecules may decrease sorption energy. Increase in the sorption of non-cationic polymers (CMCA and PEO) at pH>pH(0) is attributable to dispersion of clay, cation bridging and polymer molecular reconfiguration. For cationic PAM, electrostatic bonding to negatively charged soil particle surfaces accounts for the sorption increase. For treated soil samples, polymer sorption pattern is similar to those expected for the montmorillonitic clayey soils of temperate zones. These results indicate that the pH(0) of lateritic soils, within the regime that exists in the field, should be considered in assessing the potential effectiveness of polymer dust suppressants for tropical lateritic soils.     

Adsorption and desorption processes of MCPA in Polish mineral soils

Studies on the adsorption and desorption of MCPA (4-chloro-2-methylophenoxyacetic acid) were performed in soil horizons of three representative Polish agricultural soils. The Hyperdystric Arenosol, the Haplic Luvisol and the Hypereutric Cambisol were investigated in laboratory batch experiments. Initially, both the adsorption and desorption proceeded rapidly, and either the equilibrium was reached after approximately 30 min or the process slowed down and continued at a slow rate. In the latter case, the equilibrium was reached after 8 hours. Data on the adsorption/desorption kinetics fitted well to the two-site kinetic model. The measured sorption and desorption isotherms were of L-type. The sorption distribution coefficients (K(ads) (d)) were in the range of 0.75--0.97 for Ap soil horizons and significantly lower in deeper soil layers. The corresponding desorption coefficients (K(des) (d)) were higher and ranged from 1.02 to 2.01. Both the adsorption and desorption of MCPA in all soil horizons was strongly and negatively related to soil pH. It appears that hydrophobic sorption plays a dominant role in the MCPA retention in topsoils whereas hydrophilic sorption of MCPA anions is the dominant adsorption mechanism in subsoils.     

The influences of pH and ionic strength on the sorption of tylosin on goethite

As one of the widely used antibiotics in the world, the environmental risks of tylosin (TYL) received more and more attention. In order to assess its environmental fate and ecological effects accurately, it is necessary to understand the sorption properties of TYL on the soils/sediments. The sorption of TYL on goethite at different pH and ionic strength conditions were measured through a series of batch experiments and the sorption data of TYL were fitted by Freundlich and dual-mode sorption models. It was obvious that sorption was strongly dependent on pH and ionic strength. Sorption capacity of TYL increased as the pH increased and ionic strength decreased. The pH and ionic strength-dependent trends might be related with complexation between cationic/neutral TYL species and goethite. The sorption affinity of TYL on goethite decreased as ionic strength increased, which only occurred at higher TYL concentrations, suggested that inner complex might have dominated process at low concentrations and outer complex might occur at higher concentrations of TYL. Spectroscopic evidence indicated that tricarbonylamide and hydroxyl functional groups of TYL might be accounted for the sorption on mineral surfaces. The experimental data of TYL sorption could be fitted by surface complexation model (FITEQL), indicating that ≡FeOH with TYL interaction could be reasonably represented as a complex formation of a monoacid with discrete sites on goethite. The sorption mechanism of TYL might be related with surface complexation, electrostatic repulsion, and H-bounding on goethite. It should be noticed that the heterogeneous of sorption affinity of TYL on goethite at various environment to assess its environment risk.     

Photooxidation of arsenite by natural goethite in suspended solution

Iron and arsenic have been found to coexist in a water environment and the fate of arsenite in the aquatic system is influenced by iron. Goethite is a form of iron hydroxide, which is commonly found in sediments. In previous studies, we have used iron complexes to degrade organic pollutants. Results have shown that some organic pollutants could be totally degraded by iron complexes and our work indicated that iron might cause conversion of arsenic when irradiated. This work attempts to investigate the conversion of arsenite [As(III)] using natural goethite, as the iron source, to quantify the effect of various factors on photooxidation. We also consider the possible mechanism for photooxidation of As(III) using a suspension of natural goethite. The As(III) concentration variation under illumination was compared with the one in the dark to quantify the contribution of light to As(III) oxidation to As(V) in goethite suspended solution. The experiments under N₂ and air atmosphere confirmed the participation of dissolved oxygen. The photooxidation efficiency of As(III) under different conditions was compared to determine the effect of different environmental factors such as pH value, goethite concentration, and humic acid concentration on the photooxidation reaction. In the solution containing 100 μg L^?1 arsenite and 0.1 g?L^?1 suspended goethite at pH 3.0, nearly 80 % of As(III) was photooxidized after irradiation by a 250-W metal halogen lamp (λ?≥?313 nm) after 6 h. The effects of initial pH and goethite concentration and humic acid concentration were all examined. The results show that the greatest efficiency of photooxidation of As(III) was at pH 3.0. The extent of photooxidation decreased with increasing goethite concentration and fell sharply in the presence of humic acid under the conditions in this work. Although about 80 % of As(III) was photooxidized after irradiation by a 250-W halogen lamp at pH 3.0 in the presence of goethite suspension, photooxidation was also affected by factors such as pH, concentration of goethite, and presence of humic acid. The scavenger experiments showed that the HO? radical and photogenerated hole are the predominant oxidants in this system responsible for 87.1 % oxidation of As(III), while HO ₂ ^? /O ₂ ^?? is responsible for 12.9 % oxidation of As(III).     

Sorption of thallium(I) onto geological materials: influence of pH and humic matter

The sorption behaviour of the severely toxic heavy metal thallium (Tl) as a monovalent cation onto three representative materials (goethite, pyrolusite and a natural sediment sampled from a field site) was examined as a function of pH in the absence and presence of two natural humic acids (HAs), using ²⁰⁴Tl(I) as a radiotracer. In order to obtain a basic understanding of trends in the pH dependence of Tl(I) sorption with and without HA, sorption of HAs and humate complexation of Tl(I) as a function of pH were investigated as well. In spite of the low complexation between Tl(I) and HAs, the presence of HAs results in obvious alterations of Tl(I) sorption onto pyrolusite and sediment. An influence on Tl(I) sorption onto goethite was not observed. Predictions of K_d (distribution coefficient) for Tl(I) on goethite in the presence of HAs, based on a linear additive model, agree well with the experimental data, while a notable disagreement occurs for the pyrolusite and sediment systems. Accordingly, it is suggested that HAs and goethite may act as a non-interacting sorbent mixture under the given conditions, but more complex interactions may take place between the HAs and the mineral phases of pyrolusite or sediment.     

Cosorption of organic chemicals with different properties: their shared and different sorption sites

Complementary sorption of different chemicals was expected and investigating the relationship between the sorption inhibition of primary sorbate (ΔQ(pri)) and sorption of secondary sorbate (Q(sec)) could provide a new angle to understand coadsorption of different chemicals. This study used bisphenol A (BPA) as the primary adsorbate, sulfamethoxazole (SMX) as the competitor, and carbon nanotubes as model adsorbents to study their complementary and competitive adsorption. At low BPA concentrations, the sorption of SMX (Q(sec)) exceeded BPA sorption inhibition (ΔQ(pri)), indicating that these two chemicals complementarily adsorbed on their respectively preferred sorption sites. At high BPA concentrations, higher ΔQ(pri) was observed in comparison to Q(sec), which may be resulted from different packing efficiencies of the adsorbed SMX and BPA. This study emphasized that both competitive and complementary sorption should be discussed in binary sorption system.