Studies on the phosphorus sorption capacity of substrates used in constructed wetland systems

Langmuir sorption isotherm was used to screen various substrates for use in removing phosphorus (P) in constructed wetlands (CW). The nine tested substrates included four sands, two soils, bentonite, and two industrial by-products of furnace slag and fly ash. Results showed that the furnace slag had the highest P sorption capacity (8.89 g Pk g(-1)), followed was the fly ash (8.81 g P kg(-1)), and that of sand II was the lowest. Different kinds of sands also showed varying P sorption capacity (0.13-0.29 g P kg(-1)). P sorption capacity was influenced by both the physico-chemical characteristics of the substrates and the amount of organic matter (OM) added. Lifetime of sand II for P sorption estimated by Langmuir P sorption maximum was up to only 9 months in full-scale systems, while that of furnace slag could be used for up to 22 yr. Furnace slag has great potential as a CW substrate, due to its high P sorption capacity. The expected lifetime of constructed wetlands for P removal is strongly influenced by the choice of adsorbing substrate.     

Improving phosphate removal of sand infiltration system using alkaline fly ash

Septic tank effluent is customarily disposed of by soil infiltration. Coarse, sandy soil such as those found in Perth, Western Australia, exhibit low attenuation capabilities for phosphate (PO4(3-)) during effluent infiltration. Amendment of such soil with different amounts of alkaline precipitator and lagoon fly ashes was investigated as a means of reducing phosphorus (P) leakage to ground water. Alkaline precipitator fly ash possessed the highest P sorption capacity in terms of its Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm parameters during initial batch tests. The test materials were repeatedly contacted with fresh PO4(3-) solutions over 90 contacting cycles to gain a better indication of long-term P sorption capability. Again, precipitator fly ash exhibited higher P sorption capacity than lagoon fly ash and Spearwood sand. Column studies assessed the influence of various application rates of alkaline precipitator and lagoon fly ashes on the P removal of septic tank effluent. Septic tank effluent was applied at the rate of 4 cm/day to the column for 12 weeks. Concentrations of P were monitored in the column effluent. All the fly ash columns were more efficient in reducing P migration compared to the sand column. Increased levels of fly ash in the soil columns resulted in increased P attenuation. Lagoon fly ash was inferior to precipitator fly ash for P removal; high application rates of fly ash caused clogging of the infiltration bed apparently due to their lower permeability. It is reasoned that 5-15% precipitator fly ash, and less than 30% lagoon fly ash could be added to coarse sands to produce an infiltration bed, which would result in a better quality effluent than can be obtained with untreated sand alone.     

Kinetic analysis of constructed systems for the recovery of contaminated areas by acid mine drainage

INTRODUCTION: Flowing of the acid mine drainage may contaminate the adjacent water bodies causing substantial changes in the aquatic ecosystem. This aspect is the most relevant problem in the southern of Santa Catarina once the contaminated areas are inserted in the watershed of the Araranguá, Urussanga, and Tubar?o rivers, increasing the need for recovery studies. These areas are between Criciúma, I?ara, Urussanga, Siderópolis, Lauro Müller, Orleans, and Alfredo Wagner towns where a conservation unit exist called the Environmental Preservation Area of Baleia Franca. Aiming to compare the kinetics of the ash derived from burning coal and to neutralize acid mine drainage, different neutralizer, limestone, fly, and bottom ash, was mounted on a pilot scale experiment. DISCUSSION: The transport parameters showed the same order of infiltration and dispersion: fly ash < bottom ash < limestone. The order of measured alkalinity was: limestone < fly ash < bottom ash, with pH values of 9.34, 12.07, and 12.25, respectively. The limestone kinetics of acidic drainage neutralization was first order with reaction rate constant k?=?0.0963 min(-1), bottom ash was 3/4 with k?=?0.0723 mol(1/4) L(-1/4) min(-1), and the fly ash had higher order kinetics, 4/3, with reaction rate constant k?=?27.122 L(1/3) mol(-1/3) min(-1). However, by mathematical modeling, it was found that due to a combination of transport and kinetics, only limestone treatment reached a pH above 6 within 5 years, corresponding to the ideal as planned.     

粉煤灰对水溶液中磷的吸附性能及机理

以粉煤灰为吸附剂去除溶液中的磷,考察了其吸附除P动力学特征、热力学特征以及溶液初始pH和粉煤灰投加量对吸附除P效果的影响,并对其吸附除P机理做了初步探讨。结果表明,在给定实验条件下,粉煤灰对P具有较好的去除效果,随着初始P浓度从10 mg/L升高到80 mg/L,平衡吸附量为0.46～2.44 mg P/g粉煤灰,吸附效率从92.2%降低至61.1%;对不同浓度的含P溶液,粉煤灰最适用量为0.6～1.5 g粉煤灰/mg P;相同反应条件下,当温度由25℃升高到45℃时,P初始吸附速率提高了3倍;粉煤灰对P的吸附过程能够较好地拟合Langmuir、Freundlich及D-R吸附等温模型,相关系数均在0.98以上。通过对吸附饱和的粉煤灰进行解析实验发现,初始P浓度较低(<50 mg/L)时,以化学吸附为主,而在初始P浓度较高(>80 mg/L)时,则以物理吸附为主。     

Sorption and mobility of dithiopyr in golf course greens rooting medium

Sorption and mobility of dithiopyr in golf course greens rooting medium (RM) were studied. The sorption increased from 20 to 27 degrees C at 24 h after treatment (HAT) and reached equilibrium in 48 HAT at 20 degrees C. The sorption isotherms had Freundlich values (KF) of 1122, 27.44 to 35.16, and 0.053 to 0.168 for peat moss, the RM, and quartz sand, respectively, and solid to aqueous phase partition coefficients (Kd) of 470 to 1706 L/kg, 14.61 to 84.4 L/kg, and 0.07 to 0.29 L/kg for peat moss, RM, and quartz sand, respectively. Generally, higher dithiopyr concentration in the aqueous solution and the reduced pH of the solution corresponded to the higher Kd values. The average values for dispersion (D, cm2/min), retardation coefficient (R), beta, and omega parameters for solute transport in the RM lysimeter; obtained from CXTFIT curve fitting of Br- breakthrough curves; were 0.95, 1.01, 1, and 93.89, respectively. After elutriation by 18 L of aqueous KNO3 (10 mM), greater than 90% of the added dithiopyr remained in the top 10 cm of the RM lysimeter and no detectable dithiopyr was present at depths beyond 35 cm. The lysimeter effluent contained dithiopyr at concentrations less than 3.5 microg/L. The R value obtained from CXFIT curve fitting is 38.5. Results from both sorption and mobility experiments indicated that dithiopyr is quite immobile in golf course greens RM and has minimal potential for movement into surface water drainage or ground water.     

Trace metal emissions from co-combustion of refuse derived and packaging derived fuels in a circulating fluidized bed boiler

Energy recovery from refuse derived fuels (RDF) and packaging derived fuels (PDF) is one option in integrated waste management. Nine RDF and PDF co-combustion tests with peat and coal in a circulating fluidized bed boiler were carried out in this work. Heavy metal emissions in flue gas and fly ash were measured. Multivariate data analyses were used to find out the most important parameters affecting metal emissions in the flue gas.

The results showed that total heavy metal emissions were low. Although RDF and PDF had more heavy metals than peat and coal, the multivariate data analysis showed that an increase of the RDF or PDF share in the fuel mixture up to 20% did not correlate directly with the metal emissions in the flue gas. Distribution of Cd, Cu, Zn and Sn between flue gas and fly ash correlated with each other. Injection of limestone to bind sulphur and chlorine did not have a significant effect on heavy metal emissions in the flue gas. Heavy metals concentrated on the fly ash, but all fly ashes passed the EPA-TCLP tests.     

Removal of cationic dyes from aqueous solutions using microspherical particles of fly ash

Batch sorption experiments were carried out for the removal of cationic dyes (methylene blue and malachite green) from their aqueous solutions using sorbent made from fly ash-a waste material. Effects of various experimental parameters: initial dye concentration, contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage, solution temperature, surfactant addition and ionic strength on the fly ash sorption of dyes were evaluated. The isothermal data for sorption followed the Langmuir model. The maximum sorption capacity obtained for methylene blue and malachite green was 36.05 mg/g and 40.65 mg/g, respectively. Kinetic studies indicate that sorption on fly ash follows the pseudo-second order kinetics. Present research suggests that fly ash could be an appropriate adsorbent for the removal of basic dyes from aqueous solutions.     

铁屑粉煤灰组合处理含磷废水

实验研究了铁屑粉煤灰组合处理含磷废水的除磷效果.通过单因素实验,考查了铁屑粉煤灰质量比、反应时间、pH值和投加量对除磷效果的影响.实验结果表明,该法除磷的最优条件为铁屑和粉煤灰的质量比为2∶1,反应时间为20 min,pH值为6,投加量为20 g/L.在最优实验条件下磷的去除率达到了97.5％.对比了该法和粉煤灰吸附法与传统铁屑法的除磷效果.与单一粉煤灰吸附法和传统铁屑法除磷的结果相比较,铁屑粉煤灰组合除磷的方法具有明显优势.     

Filter materials for metal removal from mine drainage—a review

A large number of filter materials, organic and inorganic, for removal of heavy metals in mine drainage have been reviewed. Bark, chitin, chitosan, commercial ion exchangers, dairy manure compost, lignite, peat, rice husks, vegetal compost, and yeast are examples of organic materials, while bio-carbons, calcareous shale, dolomite, fly ash, limestone, olivine, steel slag materials and zeolites are examples of inorganic materials. The majority of these filter materials have been investigated in laboratory studies, based on various experimental set-ups (batch and/or column tests) and different conditions. A few materials, for instance steel slag materials, have also been subjects to field investigations under real-life conditions. The results from these investigations show that steel slag materials have the potential to remove heavy metals under different conditions. Ion exchange has been suggested as the major metal removal mechanisms not only for steel slag but also for lignite. Other suggested removal mechanisms have also been identified. Adsorption has been suggested important for activated carbon, precipitation for chitosan and sulphate reduction for olivine. General findings indicate that the results with regard to metal removal vary due to experimental set ups, composition of mine drainage and properties of filter materials and the discrepancies between studies renders normalisation of data difficult. However, the literature reveals that Fe, Zn, Pb, Hg and Al are removed to a large extent. Further investigations, especially under real-life conditions, are however necessary in order to find suitable filter materials for treatment of mine drainage.     

Effect of fly ash on sorption behavior of metribuzin in agricultural soils

This investigation was undertaken to determine the effect of two different fly ashes [Kota and Inderprastha (IP)] amendment on the sorption behavior of metribuzin in three Indian soil types. The IP fly ash was very effective in increasing the metribuzin sorption in the soils. The sorption with IP amendment was increased by 15-92%, whereas with the Kota fly ash an increase in sorption by 13-38% was noted. The adsorption isotherms fitted very well to the Freundlich adsorption equation and, in general, slope (1/n) values less then unity were observed. Although both the fly ashes significantly decreased metribuzin desorption, the IP fly ash was comparatively more effective in retaining metribuzin in the soils. Metribuzin sorption in the IP fly ash-amended soils showed strong correlation with the fly ash content and compared to K(f)/K(d) values, K(FA) values (sorption normalized to fly ash content) showed less variation. Metribuzin sorption-desorption did not correlate to the organic carbon content of the soil-fly ash mixture. The study demonstrates that all coal fly ashes may not be effective in enhancing the sorption of metribuzin in soils to the same extent. However, among the fly ashes used in this study, the IP fly ash was observed to be significantly effective in enhancing the sorption of metribuzin in soils. This may play an important role in reducing the run off and leaching losses of the herbicide by retaining it in the soil.     

Effect of fly ash on sorption behavior of metribuzin in agricultural soils

This investigation was undertaken to determine the effect of two different fly ashes [Kota and Inderprastha (IP)] amendment on the sorption behavior of metribuzin in three Indian soil types. The IP fly ash was very effective in increasing the metribuzin sorption in the soils. The sorption with IP amendment was increased by 15–92%, whereas with the Kota fly ash an increase in sorption by 13–38% was noted. The adsorption isotherms fitted very well to the Freundlich adsorption equation and, in general, slope (1/n) values less then unity were observed. Although both the fly ashes significantly decreased metribuzin desorption, the IP fly ash was comparatively more effective in retaining metribuzin in the soils. Metribuzin sorption in the IP fly ash-amended soils showed strong correlation with the fly ash content and compared to K_f/K_d values, K_FA values (sorption normalized to fly ash content) showed less variation. Metribuzin sorption-desorption did not correlate to the organic carbon content of the soil-fly ash mixture. The study demonstrates that all coal fly ashes may not be effective in enhancing the sorption of metribuzin in soils to the same extent. However, among the fly ashes used in this study, the IP fly ash was observed to be significantly effective in enhancing the sorption of metribuzin in soils. This may play an important role in reducing the run off and leaching losses of the herbicide by retaining it in the soil.     

Effect of fly ash on metsulfuron-methyl sorption and leaching in soils

This investigation was undertaken to determine the effect of amendment of two fly ashes [Kota and Inderprastha (IP)] on sorption behavior of metsulfuron-methyl in three Indian soil types. Kota fly ash (5%) did not show any effect on herbicide sorption while IP fly ash significantly enhanced the sorption. Further studies on metsulfuron-methyl sorption-desorption behavior in 0.5, 1, 2, and 5% IP fly ash-amended soils suggested that effect of fly ash varied with soil type and better effect was observed in low organic carbon content soils. The sorption-desorption isotherms fitted very well to the Freundlich sorption equation and, in general, slope (1/n) values less than unity were observed. Metsulfuron-methyl sorption in the IP fly ash-amended soils showed strong correlation with the fly ash content and compared to the Freundlich sorption constant (K _f), K _FA values (sorption normalized to fly ash content) showed less variation. Metsulfuron-methyl leaching studies suggested greater retention of herbicide in the application zone in IP fly ash-amended soils, but effect varied with soil type and no herbicide leaching was observed in 5% fly ash-amended soils. The study suggested that all coal fly ashes are not effective in enhancing the sorption of metsulfuron-methyl in soils. However, one which enhanced herbicide sorption, could play an important role in reducing its leaching losses.     

粉煤灰合成沸石去除城市暴雨径流中氨氮

采用粉煤灰为原料,通过耦合碱熔-两步合成法制得3种合成沸石产品,并以合成沸石制备大粒径的功能填料。通过氨氮吸附速率实验和等温吸附实验探讨了合成沸石及功能填料的氨氮吸附速率和最大吸附容量(Qm),以功能填料构建模拟人工快速渗滤系统,研究其对城市暴雨径流中氨氮的去除效果。结果表明,合成沸石对氨氮的吸附速率极快,5min去除率约达到75%,氨氮最大吸附容量为11.36～16.13 mg/g;功能填料对氨氮的最大吸附容量有所下降,但氨氮吸附速率仍较快,应用于模拟人工快速渗滤系统时能在较高的水力负荷下快速去除城市暴雨径流中的氨氮。碱处理再生法更适于进行合成沸石功能填料原位再生,氨氮吸附容量一次再生率达到67%～87%。     

自制填料与常用湿地填料除磷能力的比较

用石英砂、石灰、水泥和铝粉等材料制作人工湿地填料,并对自制填料、粉煤灰块和钢渣等6种填料的等温吸附特性进行研究,发现自制填料在较低与较高浓度P溶液中吸附率都最高,在P浓度为(10～50 mg/L)时,平均吸附率达96.8%,其次是粉煤灰和钢渣,分别为87.6%和85.4%;填料对P的理论饱和吸附量分别为:自制填料(2 413.6 mg/kg)>粉煤灰块(1 605.8 mg/kg)>钢渣(1 277.5 mg/kg)>碎砖(451.6 mg/kg)>碎石(182.5 mg/kg)>砾石(18.4 mg/kg);填料中金属矿物成分含量高、比表面积大,是除P效果好的原因。     

Removal of PCBs from wastewater using fly ash

Liquids and sludges containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can be treated to concentrate the PCBs in a solid residue. The latter can then be handled to destroy the PCBs. A study on sorption kinetics of PCBs on fly ash was conducted in controlled batch systems. TCB and HeCB are removed at 25 degrees C by adsorption on fly ash up to 97% at pH 7, with an adsorbent dose of 5 g/l. An examination of the thermodynamic parameters shows that the adsorption of TCB and HeCB by fly ash is a process occurring spontaneously at ambient conditions. Activation energies for the sorption process ranged between 5.6 and 49.1 kJ/mol. It was observed that the rate at which TCB and HeCB are adsorbed onto fly ash showed a diffusion limitation. The uptake rate of TCB and HeCB increases with increasing initial concentration and gradually tends to a constant value. A decrease in the adsorption of TCB and HeCB was observed when interfering ions and other PCB congeners were present. Changing the pH in the aqueous solution from 2 to 10 had no effect on the adsorption process. Overall, fly ash can be used for an efficient removal of PCBs from several aqueous solutions.     

The sorption of Zectran on bottom sediments and peat moss

Abstract

A modified analytical method employed to determine the insecticide Zectran in natural waters frequently has resulted in erroneous data. The errors have been attributed to interferences from particulate matter in these waters. In order to evaluate analytical interferences due to sorption of Zectran on particu‐lates, a series of experiments was performed using bottom sediments and a peat moss in contact with aqueous solutions of Zectran at a pH value of 6.0 and 20°C.

Isotherm studies confirmed that Zectran sorption occurs in a direct relation to the amount of chemically oxidizable carbon present in the bottom sediments or peat moss. However, the extent of sorption was limited, which suggested that particulates may not be the primary interference in the modified analytical method.     

Seizure modeling of Pb(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solution by chemically modified sugarcane bagasse fly ash: isotherms, kinetics, and column study

Heavy metal pollution is a common environmental problem all over the world. The purpose of the research is to examine the applicability of bagasse fly ash (BFA)—an agricultural waste of sugar industry used for the synthesis of zeolitic material. The zeolitic material are used for the uptake of Pb(II) and Cd(II) heavy metal. Bagasse fly ash is used as a native material for the synthesis of zeolitic materials by conventional hydrothermal treatment without (conventional zeolitic bagasse fly ash (CZBFA)) and with electrolyte (conventional zeolitic bagasse fly ash in electrolyte media (ECZBFA)) media. Heavy metal ions Pb(II) and Cd(II) were successfully seized from aqueous media using these synthesized zeolitic materials. In this study, the zeolitic materials were well characterized by different instrumental methods such as Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, XRF, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopic microphotographs. The presence of analcime, phillipsite, and zeolite P in adsorbents confirms successful conversion of native BFA into zeolitic materials. Seizure modeling of Pb(II) and Cd(II) was achieved by batch sorption experiments, isotherms, and kinetic studies. These data were used to compare and evaluate the zeolitic materials as potential sorbents for the uptake of heavy metal ions from an aqueous media. The Langmuir isotherm correlation coefficient parameters best fit the equilibrium data which indicate the physical sorption. Pseudo-second-order and intra-particle diffusion model matches best which indicates that the rate of sorption was controlled by film diffusion. The column studies were performed for the practical function of sorbents, and breakthrough curves were obtained, which revealed higher sorption capacity as compared to batch method. Synthesized zeolitic material (CZBFA and ECZBFA), a low-cost sorbent, was proven as potential sorbent for the uptake of Pb(II) and Cd(II) heavy metal ions.     

改性粉煤灰处理低浓度含磷废水的研究

以酸改性粉煤灰为吸附剂,处理低质量浓度(1 mg/L左右)磷酸盐溶液,探讨了改性剂的种类、改性剂用量、吸附剂用量、反应时间、pH以及温度对除磷效果的影响.结果表明:(1)经过酸改性后粉煤灰的磷去除率显著提高,而且硫酸改性粉煤灰的除磷效果更好,磷去除率最高可达97.68％.(2)最佳条件:选择硫酸用量为5 mL/g进行改性,硫酸改性粉煤灰投加量为2.0g,反应时间为60 min,pH为7.2～10.8,温度为25℃(即室温).(3)改性粉煤灰对磷的吸附更符合Freundlich吸附等温模型,既有物理吸附,也有化学吸附,并以Ca、Mg氧化物与磷形成磷的沉淀物为主.     

Arsenic and copper stabilisation in a contaminated soil by coal fly ash and green waste compost

In situ metal stabilisation by amendments has been demonstrated as an appealing low-cost remediation strategy for contaminated soil. This study investigated the short-term leaching behaviour and long-term stability of As and Cu in soil amended with coal fly ash and/or green waste compost. Locally abundant inorganic (limestone and bentonite) and carbonaceous (lignite) resources were also studied for comparison. Column leaching experiments revealed that coal fly ash outperformed limestone and bentonite amendments for As stabilisation. It also maintained the As stability under continuous leaching of acidic solution, which was potentially attributed to high-affinity adsorption, co-precipitation, and pozzolanic reaction of coal fly ash. However, Cu leaching in the column experiments could not be mitigated by any of these inorganic amendments, suggesting the need for co-addition of carbonaceous materials that provides strong chelation with oxygen-containing functional groups for Cu stabilisation. Green waste compost suppressed the Cu leaching more effectively than lignite due to the difference in chemical composition and dissolved organic matter. After 9-month soil incubation, coal fly ash was able to minimise the concentrations of As and Cu in the soil solution without the addition of carbonaceous materials. Nevertheless, leachability tests suggested that the provision of green waste compost and lignite augmented the simultaneous reduction of As and Cu leachability in a fairly aggressive leaching environment. These results highlight the importance of assessing stability and remobilisation of sequestered metals under varying environmental conditions for ensuring a plausible and enduring soil stabilisation.     

Cesium migration in saturated silica sand and Hanford sediments as impacted by ionic strength

Large amounts of 137Cs have been accidentally released to the subsurface from the Hanford nuclear site in the state of Washington, USA. The cesium-containing liquids varied in ionic strengths, and often had high electrolyte contents, mainly in the form of NaNO3 and NaOH, reaching concentrations up to several moles per liter. In this study, we investigated the effect of ionic strengths on Cs migration through two types of porous media: silica sand and Hanford sediments. Cesium sorption and transport was studied in 1, 10, 100, and 1000 mM NaCl electrolyte solutions at pH 10. Sorption isotherms were constructed from batch equilibrium experiments and the batch-derived sorption parameters were compared with column breakthrough curves. Column transport experiments were analyzed with a two-site equilibrium-nonequilibrium model. Cesium sorption to the silica sand in batch experiments showed a linear sorption isotherm for all ionic strengths, which matched well with the results from the column experiments at 100 and 1000 mM ionic strength; however, the column experiments at 1 and 10 mM ionic strength indicated a nonlinear sorption behavior of Cs to the silica sand. Transport through silica sand occurred under one-site sorption and equilibrium conditions. Cesium sorption to Hanford sediments in both batch and column experiments was best described with a nonlinear Freundlich isotherm. The column experiments indicated that Cs transport in Hanford sediments occurred under two-site equilibrium and nonequilibrium sorption. The effect of ionic strength on Cs transport was much more pronounced in Hanford sediments than in silica sands. Effective retardation factors of Cs during transport through Hanford sediments were reduced by a factor of 10 when the ionic strength increased from 100 to 1000 mM; for silica sand, the effective retardation was reduced by a factor of 10 when ionic strength increased from 1 to 1000 mM. A two order of magnitude change in ionic strength was needed in the silica sand to observe the same change in Cs retardation as in Hanford sediments.