Optimization of micro-pollutants’ removal from wastewater using agricultural waste-derived sustainable adsorbent
Water pollution due to the discharge of untreated industrial effluents is a serious environmental and public health issue. The presence of organic pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) causes worldwide concern because of their mutagenic and carcinogenic effects on aquatic life...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Published: |
MDPI
2021
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/94460/ https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/21/11506 |
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| Institution: | Universiti Putra Malaysia |
| Summary: | Water pollution due to the discharge of untreated industrial effluents is a serious environmental and public health issue. The presence of organic pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs) causes worldwide concern because of their mutagenic and carcinogenic effects
on aquatic life, human beings, and the environment. PAHs are pervasive atmospheric compounds
that cause nervous system damage, mental retardation, cancer, and renal kidney diseases. This
research presents the first usage of palm kernel shell biochar (PKSB) (obtained from agricultural
waste) for PAH removal from industrial wastewater (oil and gas wastewater/produced water). A
batch scale study was conducted for the remediation of PAHs and chemical oxygen demand (COD)
from produced water. The influence of operating parameters such as biochar dosage, pH, and contact
time was optimized and validated using a response surface methodology (RSM). Under optimized
conditions, i.e., biochar dosage 2.99 g L−1
, pH 4.0, and contact time 208.89 min, 93.16% of PAHs and
97.84% of COD were predicted. However, under optimized conditions of independent variables,
95.34% of PAH and 98.21% of COD removal was obtained in the laboratory. The experimental data
were fitted to the empirical second-order model of a suitable degree for the maximum removal of
PAHs and COD by the biochar. ANOVA analysis showed a high coefficient of determination value
(R2 = 0.97) and a reasonable second-order regression prediction. Additionally, the study also showed
a comparative analysis of PKSB with previously used agricultural waste biochar for PAH and COD
removal. The PKSB showed significantly higher removal efficiency than other types of biochar. The
study also provides analysis on the reusability of PKSB for up to four cycles using two different
methods. The methods reflected a significantly good performance for PAH and COD removal for
up to two cycles. Hence, the study demonstrated a successful application of PKSB as a potential
sustainable adsorbent for the removal of micro-pollutants from produced water. |
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