TY - JOUR
T1 - Utilizing low-cost natural waste for the removal of pharmaceuticals from water
T2 - Mechanisms, isotherms and kinetics at low concentrations
AU - Li, Yuan
AU - Taggart, Mark A.
AU - McKenzie, Craig
AU - Zhang, Zulin
AU - Lu, Yonglong
AU - Pap, Sabolc
AU - Gibb, Stuart
N1 - © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
PY - 2019/8/1
Y1 - 2019/8/1
N2 -
The use of abundant natural wastes as environmentally friendly products promotes a circular green economy and cleaner production. The potential use of natural waste materials without additional processing for the removal of priority pharmaceuticals from water was investigated. Here, the performance of selected low-cost biosorbents (biochar, macro-algae and wood chippings)was evaluated using two extensively prescribed model pharmaceuticals: diclofenac (DCF)and trimethoprim (TMP). The physicochemical properties of the biosorbents were examined (to shed light on likely biosorption mechanisms)using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET)measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zero point of charge (pH
zpc
)measurements and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Experimental data from kinetic studies fitted a pseudo-second order model, and multiple diffusion steps limited the mass transfer of analytes. Intra-partile diffusion was the rate limiting step for biochar, while macro-algae and wood chippings were limited (mainly)by adsorptive attachment. The equilibrium data for most of the studied systems best fitted a Langmuir model, while the Freundlich model provided a better fit for TMP with wood chippings. At μg∙L
−1
initial pharmaceutical loading levels, the maximum biosorption capacity for DCF was attained with biochar (7.25 × 10
3
μg g
−1
), while macro-algae performed best for TMP (7.14 × 10
4
μg g
−1
). Both chemical and physical interactions were likely responsible for the biosorption of pharmaceuticals. High removal efficiencies were achieved at the low initial loadings studied, indicating the potential application of those sustainable low-cost biosorbents at low (environmentally relevant)pharmaceutical concentrations.
AB -
The use of abundant natural wastes as environmentally friendly products promotes a circular green economy and cleaner production. The potential use of natural waste materials without additional processing for the removal of priority pharmaceuticals from water was investigated. Here, the performance of selected low-cost biosorbents (biochar, macro-algae and wood chippings)was evaluated using two extensively prescribed model pharmaceuticals: diclofenac (DCF)and trimethoprim (TMP). The physicochemical properties of the biosorbents were examined (to shed light on likely biosorption mechanisms)using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET)measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zero point of charge (pH
zpc
)measurements and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Experimental data from kinetic studies fitted a pseudo-second order model, and multiple diffusion steps limited the mass transfer of analytes. Intra-partile diffusion was the rate limiting step for biochar, while macro-algae and wood chippings were limited (mainly)by adsorptive attachment. The equilibrium data for most of the studied systems best fitted a Langmuir model, while the Freundlich model provided a better fit for TMP with wood chippings. At μg∙L
−1
initial pharmaceutical loading levels, the maximum biosorption capacity for DCF was attained with biochar (7.25 × 10
3
μg g
−1
), while macro-algae performed best for TMP (7.14 × 10
4
μg g
−1
). Both chemical and physical interactions were likely responsible for the biosorption of pharmaceuticals. High removal efficiencies were achieved at the low initial loadings studied, indicating the potential application of those sustainable low-cost biosorbents at low (environmentally relevant)pharmaceutical concentrations.
KW - Biosorption mechanisms
KW - Circular economy
KW - Low-cost waste material
KW - Pharmaceuticals
KW - Sustainable development
KW - Water remediation
U2 - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.04.081
DO - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.04.081
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85064830462
SN - 0959-6526
VL - 227
SP - 88
EP - 97
JO - Journal of Cleaner Production
JF - Journal of Cleaner Production
ER -