Comparative study of chromium biosorption by red, green and brown seaweed biomass

Dried biomass of the macroalgae Fucus vesiculosus and Fucus spiralis (brown), Ulva spp. (comprising Ulva linza, Ulva compressa and Ulva intestinalis) and Ulva lactuca (green), Palmaria palmata and Polysiphonia lanosa (red) were studied in terms of their chromium biosorption performance. Metal sorption was highly pH dependent with maximum Cr(III) and Cr(VI) sorption occurring at pH 4.5 and pH 2, respectively. Extended equilibrium times were required for Cr(VI) binding over Cr(III) binding (180 and 120min, respectively) thus indicating possible disparities in binding mechanism between chromium oxidation states. The red seaweed P. palmata revealed the highest removal efficiency for both Cr(III) and Cr(VI) at low initial concentrations. However, at high initial metal concentrations F. vesiculosus had the greatest removal efficiency for Cr(III) and performed almost identically to P. lanosa in terms of Cr(VI) removal. The Langmuir Isotherm mathematically described chromium binding to the seaweeds where F. vesiculosus had the largest q(max) for Cr(III) sorption (1.21mmol g(-1)) and P. lanosa had the largest Cr(VI) uptake (0.88mmol g(-1)). P. palmata had the highest affinity for both Cr(III) and Cr(VI) binding with b values of 4.94mM(-1) and 8.64mM(-1), respectively. Fourier transform infrared analysis revealed interactions of amino, carboxyl, sulphonate and hydroxyl groups in chromium binding to Ulva spp. The remaining seaweeds showed involvement of these groups to varying degrees as well as ether group participation in the brown seaweeds and for Cr(VI) binding to the red seaweeds.     

Studies on metal content in the brown seaweed, Fucus vesiculosus, from the Archipelago of Stockholm

Concentrations of eleven metals (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) were determined in the brown seaweed Fucus vesiculosus collected from the Archipelago of Stockholm. Several factors which influence the metal content in the seaweed have been studied, including errors caused by epiphytes, sea exposure and differences depending on which part of the seaweed is analysed. It is concluded that, if all these factors are considered, Fucus vesiculosus plants are excellent bio-indicators of metal pollution. This is also demonstrated by a significant increase in metal content in transplanted Fucus vesiculosus near the city of Stockholm. The results from this investigation also indicate increasing metal concentrations, especially Cd, in samples from the northern parts of the Archipelago and the reason for this is discussed.     

A comparative study on sorption of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) by chars, ash and carbon nanotubes

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), as one of emerging contaminants, has been attracting increasing concerns in recent years. Sorption of PFOS by maize straw- and willow-derived chars (M400 and W400), maize straw-origin ash (MA) as well as three carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was studied in this work. The sorption kinetics of PFOS by the six adsorbents was well fitted by the pseudo-second-order model. CNTs reached equilibrium in 2 h, much faster than those by chars (384 h) and ash (48 h). According to the sorption isotherms, both single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and MA had high sorption capacities (over 700 mg g⁻¹), while the two chars had low sorption capacities (below 170 mg g⁻¹) caused by their small BET surface area. In the case of MA, due to its positively charged surface, both hydrophobic interaction and electrostatic attraction involved in the sorption, and the formation of hemi-micelles further favored the sorption. This study suggested that SWCNT and MA were effective adsorbents for PFOS removal from water. Compared to SWCNT, MA is low cost and easy to obtain, so it could be a preferred adsorbent for PFOS removal.     

复合纳米材料对土壤重金属离子吸持固化的模拟研究

土壤中过量重金属离子可通过食物链和地表水系统危害人群健康。通过土柱淋溶模拟实验,研究了SiO2-Al2O3-Fe2O3等复合纳米材料对土壤溶液中Cu2+、Cd2+、Pb2+、Zn2+和Ni2+的吸持与固化特征。分别向重金属含量4倍于土壤二级标准(GB15618-1995)的土壤中添加0%、4%、6%和10%的复合纳米材料,分析不同深度土壤渗滤液以及土柱上栽培植物不同部位中重金属的含量。结果表明,碱性壤质土壤中重金属向下的迁移量很少;在含4%复合纳米材料土柱中,其吸持固化土壤溶液中63%的Cu、79%的Cd、68%的Pb、89%的Zn和76%的Ni;在含6%复合纳米材料土柱中,其吸持固化土壤溶液中82%的Cu、92%的Cd、76%的Pb、91%的Zn和88%的Ni;再增加土柱中复合纳米材料的含量,其吸持固化效果并不再显著增加。     

Predictive modeling of an azo metal complex dye sorption by pumpkin husk

Effective disposal of pumpkin husk (PH) as a redundant waste is a significant work for environmental protection and full utilization of resource. Predictive modeling of sorption of Lanaset Red (LR) G on PH was investigated in a batch system as functions of particle size, adsorbent dose, pH, temperature, and initial dye concentration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy attenuated total reflectance spectra of PH powders before and after the sorption of LR G were determined. Sorption process was found to be dependent on particle size, adsorbent dose, pH, temperature, initial dye concentration, and contact time. Amine and amide groups of PH had significant effect on the sorption process. The pH_zpc of PH was found as 6.4. Sorption process was very fast initially and reached equilibrium within 60 min. Dynamic behavior of sorption was well represented by logistic and Avrami models. The sorption of LR G on PH was excellently described by Langmuir model, indicating a homogeneous phenomenon. Monolayer sorption capacity decreased from 440.78 to 436.28 mg g^?1 with increasing temperature. Activation energy, thermodynamic, and desorption studies showed that this process was physical character, exothermic, and spontaneous. This study confirmed that PH as an effective and low-cost adsorbent had a great potential for the removal of LR G as an alternative eco-friendly process.     

Kinetics of the reduction of hexavalent chromium with the brown seaweed Ecklonia biomass

The dead biomass of the brown seaweed, Ecklonia sp., is capable of reducing toxic Cr(VI) into less toxic or nontoxic Cr(III). However, little is known about the mechanism of Cr(VI) reduction by the biomass. The objective of this work was to develop a kinetic model for Cr(VI) biosorption, for supporting our mechanism. The reduction rate of Cr(VI) increased with increasing total chromate concentration, [Cr(VI)], and equivalent concentration of organic compounds, [OCs], and decreasing solution pH. It was found that the reduction rate of Cr(VI) was proportional to [Cr(VI)] and [OCs], suggesting the simple kinetic equation -d[Cr(VI)]/dt=k[Cr(VI)][OCs]. When considering the consumption of organic compounds due to the oxidation by Cr(VI), an average rate coefficient of 9.33 (+/-0.65)microM(-1)h(-1) was determined, at pH 2. Although the function of the pH could not be expressed in a mechanistic manner, an empirical model able to describe the pH dependence was obtained. It is expected that the developed rate equation could likely be used for design and performance predictions of biosorption processes for treating chromate wastewaters.     

Feasibility study on high-temperature sorption of hydrogen sulfide by natural soils

In this study, seven natural soils were tested for the sorption of hydrogen sulfide from coal gasification gas at high temperature. Results indicate that the LP natural soil has the best performance and the highest sulfur sorption capacity. After extracting free iron oxides, most natural soils have no sorption efficiency. The free iron oxides, therefore, proved to be the major components that react with hydrogen sulfide to form iron sulfides. The sulfur sorption capacity, either determined by EA or breakthrough time, is very close to the theoretical value based on the stoichiometric calculation with the content of free iron oxides. Moreover, the presence of CO is a positive effect while H2 is a negative effect. This can be explained via the water-shift reaction. On the basis of the results of temperature-programmed sulfidation (TPS), the starting temperature for the sorption of hydrogen sulfide is between 623-673 K. From the analyses of temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO) and XPS, the iron polysulfides are the major products and approximately 90% regeneration efficiency can be theoretically achieved while the temperature is controlled higher than 813 K. In the regeneration tests, the results show that the LP natural soil can be regenerated and thus reused after the oxidation process. No significant degeneration occurs on the LP natural soil after five sorption/regeneration cycles. The sulfur sorption capacity of the tenth regenerated soil can be achieved at least 80% compared to the fresh one. The experimental analyzed SO2 concentration from the regeneration process is almost identical to the theoretical calculated equilibrium concentration of the process. Maghemite is the main product after the regeneration process.     

Competitive sorption of heavy metal by soils. Isotherms and fractional factorial experiments

Competing ions strongly affect heavy metal sorption onto the solid surfaces of soil. This study evaluated competitive sorption of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn on three soils: Calcixerollic Xerochrept, Paralithic Xerorthent and Lithic Haplumbrept. Monometal and competitive sorption isotherms were obtained at 25 degrees C. The individual effect of ions on retention of the others was ascertained by a fractional factorial analysis design. Most of the sorption isotherms belonged to type L subtype 2 in the classification of Giles. In competitive sorption the initial linear part was shorter and the knee sharper when compared with monometal sorption isotherms. Parameters related to sorptive capacity, such as Point B, Langmuir monolayer and Freundlich distribution coefficient, were higher in monometal than in competitive sorption, and in basic soils than in acidic soil. Calcium desorbed at different points of the sorption isotherms indicated that cationic exchange with Ca was the main retention mechanism in calcareous soils. For Pb, the ratio Ca desorbed/Pb sorbed was close to one; for Cu, Ni and Zn the ratio ranged from 1.20 to 1.37, probably due to partial dissolution of calcium carbonates by hydrolytic processes during retention. On the other hand, Cd had a ratio around 0.6 reflecting another additional retention mechanism, probably surface complexation. Fractional factorial design confirmed that the presence of the cations investigated reduced the amount of the five metals retained, but the presence of Cu and Pb in the system depressed Ni, Cd and Zn sorption more than the inverse. Cation mobility was enhanced when equilibrium concentration increased and the effect was higher in Ca-saturated soils.     

The sorption of hydrogen sulfide from hot syngas by metal oxides over supports

Six 5 wt.% metal sorbents including Mn, Fe, Cu, Co, Ce and Zn supported on gamma-Al2O3, prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation method with calcination at 700 degrees C for 2 h, have been investigated for sorption of hydrogen sulfide in the temperature range of 500-700 degrees C. The sorption experiments were conducted in a fixed-bed reactor in terms of breakthrough curves and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction. The results reveal that the copper and manganese sorbents exhibit the best performance because they provide nearly 100% utilization, but the copper sorbent has a lower sulfur sorption capacity compared with the manganese sorbent. The zinc and cerium sorbents are not good candidates attributed to the vaporization of zinc and unexpected product for cerium. Effects of support materials on 5 wt.% manganese were also investigated by using gamma-Al2O3, SiO2 and TiO2 in this study. Five weight percent Mn/gamma-Al2O3 shows the best performance among support candidates. On the basis of XRPD and BET surface area analysis, TiO2 appears a huge loss in BET surface area associated with a significant formation of rutile form.     

Effect of clays, metal oxides, and organic matter on rhamnolipid biosurfactant sorption by soil

Rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been proposed as soil washing agents for enhanced removal of metal and organic contaminants from soil. A potential limitation for the application of rhamnolipids is sorption by soil matrix components. The objective of this study is to empirically determine the contribution of representative soil constituents (clays, metal oxides, and organic matter) to sorption of the rhamnolipid form most efficient at metal complexation (monorhamnolipid). Sorption studies show that monorhamnolipid (R1) sorption is concentration dependent. At low R1 concentrations that are relevant for enhancing organic contaminant biodegradation, R1 sorption followed the order: hematite (Fe(2)O(3))>kaolinite>MnO(2) approximately illite approximately Ca-montmorillonite>gibbsite (Al(OH)(3))>humic acid-coated silica. At high R1 concentrations, relevant for use in complexation/removal of metals or organics, R1 sorption followed the order: illite>humic acid-coated silica>Ca-montmorillonite>hematite>MnO(2)>gibbsite approximately kaolinite. These results allowed prediction of R1 sorption by a series of six soils. Finally, a comparison of R1 and R2 (dirhamnolipid) shows that the R1 form sorbs more strongly alone than when in a mixture of both the R1 and R2 forms. The information presented can be used to estimate, on an individual soil basis, the extent of rhamnolipid sorption. This is important for determining: (1) whether rhamnolipid addition is a feasible remediation option and (2) the amount of rhamnolipid required to efficiently remove the contaminant.     

A comparative study on the uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by Anodonta californiensis

Uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by the freshwater bivalve mollusc Anodonta californiensis was examined in the presence and absence of surfactant in order to gain further insight into mixture toxicity and to predict whether certain mixtures have negative and/or positive effects on aquatic organisms. In the presence of surfactant, the uptake of anthracene or chrysene was higher than that of naphthalene, given the same concentration in the solution. In the absence of surfactant, the trend was similar, but the uptakes were increased by approximately 100% compared to those in the presence of surfactant. On the uptake of naphthalene, the presence of anthracene showed only minor influence. The uptake of anthracene was affected by both naphthalene and chrysene. The uptake of chrysene was influenced by neither naphthalene nor anthracene. There was no observable displacement of divalent cations from the surface of the gill membrane by any of the PAHs studied.     

The sorption of heavy metal species by sediments in soakaways receiving urban road runoff

Infiltration facilities are designed for both the retention of non-point pollutants and the replenishment of groundwater in urban areas. In this study, sorption tests were conducted to evaluate the speciation of heavy metals and their behaviour in infiltration facilities receiving urban road runoff containing high DOC concentrations and stable heavy metal organic complexes. Road dust and three soakaway sediments were collected from heavy traffic areas and a residential area with an infiltration-type sewerage system in Tokyo, Japan. Sequential multiple batch tests were conducted by adding prepared road dust leachate (artificial road runoff) or deionised water to soakaway sediment to obtain soakaway sediment leachate (artificial percolating water from soakaway sediment), which mimicked the sorption by sediments in soakaways receiving urban road runoff. Heavy metal speciation was assessed by means of a combination of anion-exchange resin measurements and MINTEQA2 model calculations, and further validated by chelating resin measurements. In road dust leachates and soakaway sediment leachates, Cu predominantly existed as organic complexes and carbonates, whereas most Mn, Zn and Cd were found to exist in the form of free ions and carbonate complexes. Stable organic complexes of Cu in road dust leachates were strongly adsorbed by soakaway sediments despite the limited adsorption of DOC. On the other hand, desorption of free Mn, Zn and Cd ions from the sediment receiving road dust leachates was observed, indicating that heavy metals such as Mn, Zn and Cd may ultimately reach groundwater as free ions.     

A comparative study of cadmium phytoextraction by accumulator and weed species

Phytoextraction has shown great potential as an alternative technique for the remediation of metal contaminated soils. The objective of this study was to investigate cadmium (Cd) phytoextraction ability of high biomass producing weeds in comparison to indicator plant species. The pot study conducted with 10 to 200 mg Cd kg(-1) soil indicated that Ipomoea carnea was more effective in removing Cd from soil than Brassica juncea. Among the five species, B. juncea accumulated maximum Cd, but I. carnea followed by Dhatura innoxia and Phragmytes karka were the most suitable species for phytoextraction of cadmium from soil, if the whole plant or above ground biomass is harvested. In the relatively short time of this experiment, I. carnea produced more than 5 times more biomass in comparison to B. juncea. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between the shoot length and shoot mass of control and treated plants.     

Investigations on the sorption of phenols to dissolved organic matter by a QSAR study

The sorption of various phenols to Aldrich-HA and BSA was investigated by solid phase microextraction (SPME). The Aldrich-HA sorption with log K(DOC)-values between 2 and 3 was determined, whereas the sorption to BSA with log K(DOC)-values between 2 and 6 was much stronger. To enable an estimation of sorption constants a QSAR model was investigated. The linear free energy relationship (LFER) model showed a good correlation between the sorption constants and the log K(OW)-values with correlation coefficients of R = 0.910 and R = 0.878 for Aldrich-HA and BSA, respectively.     

水泥回转窑固化处理废弃重金属元素的实验研究

废弃的重金属化学试剂是一类危险的固体废物.通过在水泥回转窑中添加质量小于水泥质量的重金属化学试剂的实验研究表明(本实验添加质量约为水泥的0.1%):掺加化学试剂重金属元素后,各水泥熟料的XRD图谱相似,水泥熟料主要矿物相没有发生大的改变;重金属化学试剂的添加对水泥的7 d、28 d抗压强度的影响较小,符合国家标准;熟料试样在其水化28 d时各重金属的浸出量都很低,已低于工业固体废物浸出毒性鉴别标准规定的指标,由此表明利用水泥回转窑处理废弃化学试剂方法可行.     

A comparative study of dye removal using fly ash treated by different methods

The effect of different methods for fly ash treatment using conventional chemical, sonochemical and microwave method on dye adsorption in aqueous solution was investigated. Three basic dyes, methylene blue, crystal violet and rhodamine B, are employed for adsorption testing. It is found that fly ash shows different adsorption capacity depending on type of dyes. Chemical treatment using HCl will increase the adsorption capacity. The adsorption capacity of HCl treated fly ash varies with the preparation conditions. Microwave treatment is a fast and efficient method while producing the sample with the highest adsorption capacity. Solution pH and inorganic salts in dye solution can significantly influence the adsorption. The adsorption data have been analysed using Langmuir, Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson isotherms. The results indicate that the Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson models provide the better correlations with the experimental data.     

QSPR study on soil sorption coefficient for persistent organic pollutants

Quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) models of soil sorption coefficients for 32 persistent organic pollutants were constructed using our recently introduced Lu index and novel distance-based atom-type DAI topological indices. Using multiple linear regression technique, a 6-variable model was obtained with the correlation coefficient of estimations (R) being 0.95, and the standard error of estimations (s) being 0.23, and the correlation coefficient (R(cv)) and the standard error (s(cv)) in the leave-4-out cross-validation procedure are 0.90 and 0.31, respectively. The results in this study indicate that soil sorption coefficients of POPs are dominated by molecular size while some DAI indices have smaller influence.     

北京与伦敦空气中气态污染物的比对研究

城市空气质量问题已经引起广泛关注.通过对中英2个大城市北京与伦敦 2004 年 8 月～2005 年12 月空气中气态污染物 O3、NOx、SO2 和 CO 浓度变化的分析与对比发现:参照世界卫生组织空气质最准则、欧盟空气质量标准、美国国家空气质量标准或国家空气质量二级标准,北京O3、NO2、SO2和 CO 浓度的超标天数或时数明显高于伦敦.观测期内,北京 O3、NOx、SO2 和 CO 浓度明显高于伦敦,平均值分别是 17.9±22.1×10-9、72.4±76.1×10-9、19.5±21.8×10-9、2 004.6±1 509.8×10-9与10.8±9.9×10-9、54,6±38.9×10-9、1.8±2.2×10-9、372.3±235.0×10-9.两城市 O3 统计日变化形式均表现为白天高、夜晚低,峰值出现在午后 14:00 左右,日较差分别为 31.5±30.9×10-9与 11.1±7.7×10-9;NO、NO2、SO2 和 CO 呈双峰态日变化,峰值出现在交通的早高峰与晚高峰附近.北京 O3 最高值出现在夏季,而伦敦出现在春季;但两城市NOx、SO2 和 CO 最高值均出现在冬季.北京与伦敦的NO2与 NO 呈显著线性相关,且斜率与截距十分相似,分别是 1.25 和 1.28 与 28.1 和 23.2;同时两城市 CO/NOx 比率明显高于 SO2/NO 分别为 14.0、4.5 与 0.13、0.03.由此可以判断:对于两城市空气污染问题,交通源的贡献要远大于点源;但点源也对两城市空气质量造成影响.此外,连续逆温的天气是造成重污染事件的原因.     

低浓度含砷污酸处理工艺的比较研究

比较研究了石灰中和法和石灰-铁盐法对硫化后含低浓度砷(20～50 mg/L)污酸的处理效果。结果表明,单纯采用石灰法,废水难以达标排放;而两段石灰-铁盐(氯化铁)法满足达标排放的同时,一段及二段沉淀物的浸出液中砷、镉、铜、铅和锌含量均低于危险废物鉴别标准要求(GB 5085.3-2007);其最优工艺参数为一段终了pH=2,反应时间为2 h,二段终了pH=8、Fe/As=8、反应时间为60 min、氧化剂投加量(Ca(ClO)2/As)为6∶1;正交实验结果中各参数对铁盐除砷效果影响顺序为终了pH>反应时间>Fe/As>氧化剂投加量。