Articles in Press

Efficient phenol removal from aqueous solution using iron-coated pumice and leca as an available adsorbents: evalution of kinetics and isotherm studies

Reza Shokoohi, Zahra Torkshavand, Somaye Bajalan, Hassan Zolghadnasab and Ziba Khodayari

DOI:

Paper Topic:

Water and Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Searching for low cost, accessible, simple implementation, and environmentally friendly adsorbents has been one of the concern of researchers in recent years. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficient phenol removal from a synthetic aqueous solution using iron-coated pumice and LECA as an available adsorbents. Bath adsorption experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of the independent variables such as pH (3-5-7-9-11), initial concentration of phenol (10-50mg/L), contact time (10-60 min) and different concentrations of pumice and LECA (0.2-1 g/100 cc) on the phenol adsorption. The results of the experiments showed that there was a direct relationship between the phenol removal efficiency and increasing the contact time and the adsorbent dosage but it has reverse relationship with the increasing of pH and phenol initial concentration. The optimal condition of parameters for phenol removal were 200 rpm agitation speed, 0.6 g adsorbent dosage, 30 min contact time, and 20 mg/L initial phenol concentration. The study of isotherm and kinetic models showed that the experimental data of the phenol adsorption process were correlated with Freundlich (R2pumice=0.9749, R2LECA=0.9487) and Pseudo-second order (R2pumice=0.9745, R2LECA=0.9486) models. Based on this study’s results, the modified pumice and LECA have a high ability to remove the phenol compounds from aqueous solution.

The Presence of Rare Earth Metals and Critical Metals in Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment: Challenges for Recovery

Sikander A., Savvilotidou V., Jia X., Nicomel N.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002582

Paper Topic:

CEST2017 - Electric and electronic waste

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Abstract

The fastest growing waste stream of waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) is not only a threat to our environment, but is also creating a supply risk of certain rare earth metals (REMs) and critical metals (CMs). Despite the fact that Directive 2012/19/EU encourages the prevention of WEEE by promoting re-use, recycling and other forms of recovery of such wastes, the recycling of these metals in WEEE is less than 1%. The insufficient data about the composition of REMs and CMs in electric and electronic equipment (EEE), the high recycling costs and the different motivations/interests of the stakeholders, including national authorities, non-profit companies and producers, are some of the main inhibitor factors. However, there is a growing interest in the scientific community in sorting out the issues which leads to such a low recovery and in defining the challenges and possible benefits generated from the recycling of REMs and CMs. On this basis, this work highlights the characteristics of REMs and CMs in terms of their economic importance and their presence in EEE. Then, an overview of the supply risk of REMs and CMs and the challenges related to the recovery are provided, supported by countries examples.

An investigation on the characterization of activated carbon from areca leaves and their adsorption nature towards different dyes

Basrur D., Bhat J. I.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002877

Paper Topic:

Environmental Sciences

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Abstract

In this study activated carbon is produced from areca plant leaves, an agricultural waste material. The physical and chemical structural characterisation of the prepared carbon was carried out by FTIR, TGA and XRD analysis. FTIR study showed the presence of several functional groups, such as C=O, C=C, OH, NH on the surface of the activated carbon. To determine the adsorption efficiency, studies were carried out using cationic and anionic dyes and it was found to be dependent on contact time, temperature and concentration of the solution. The experimental data obtained were correlated with the Langmuir, Freundlich isotherm model. Kinetic data were obtained using second order rate equation. Probable mechanism of adsorption process with the dyes was analysed. As the prepared carbon is cost efficient, abundant and has high uptake capacity, it can be used as an adsorbent for fresh water or waste water treatment. It could be considered as promising material for the removal of dyes.

Tsunami threat versus development activities along the coast of Pakistan: A Geographic Assessment

Mahar G.A., Ahmed R., Iqbal M.J., Muhammad, A.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002878

Paper Topic:

Multidisciplinary research in environmental science

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Abstract

Pakistan is located at the earthquake prone zone. The west coast of the country is in a zone of serious seismic hazards where a subduction zone is found. This area has been victimized by severe earth quakes and tsunamis in the past. Bathymetric and earthquake interpolated maps have been prepared for risk assessment. Growing population, development and planning along the coast of Makran, especially at Gawadar, could be a serious risk in future without seismic hazard assessment. Considering the safety measures against the probable tsunami, special attention must be paid in the prospect of planning and development along the coast. The article is an attempt to assess the magnitude of the risk on behalf of onshore and offshore morphologic configuration with their tectonic setup.

Composition and production rate of cytostatic pharmaceutical waste from a Greek Cancer Treatment Hospital

Kermenidou M., Voudrias E.A., Konstantoula A.C

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002889

Paper Topic:

Hazardous Substances and Risk Analysis

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Abstract

The objective of this work was to determine the composition and production rate of cytostatic pharmaceutical waste produced by Theagenion Cancer Treatment Hospital (TCTH) in Thessaloniki, Greece. This information is necessary for the design and costing of management systems for cytostatic pharmaceutical waste, for assessing their environmental impact and for health and safety considerations. A total of 826 kg cytostatic pharmaceutical waste was collected, manually separated and weighed over a period of ten working weeks. Total cytostatic pharmaceutical waste was classified in three categories, vial waste comprising 38.3%, syringe waste with 4.5% and intravenous therapy (IV) waste with 57.2% of the total. Vial waste only was classified according to the active ingredients in alkylating agents, antimetabolites, cytotoxic antibiotics, Vinca alkaloids and “other” antineoplastic drugs. The overall cytostatic waste production by the hospital was 22900(6955) g/d, with numbers in parenthesis representing standard deviations. The average unit production rates of total cytostatic pharmaceutical waste were 140(64) g/patient/d and 201(61) g/bed/d. The respective unit production rates were: (1) for vial waste 41(11) g/patient/d and 77(46) g/bed/d, (2) for syringe waste 5(1.5) g/patient/d and 9(5) g/bed/d and (3) for IV waste 94(63) g/patient/d and 115(43) g/bed/d.

Performance Evaluation of Fly Ash-based Geopolymer Concrete Incorporating Nano Slag

Isam M A, Ahmed S N, Raid T. Al-Kateeb, Hussein A. M. Al-Zubaidi, Peter A A

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002917

Paper Topic:

Green Chemistry and Sustainable Development

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Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of fly ash-based geopolymer concrete was conducted to be used as an alternative material to replace the normal concrete. The concrete mixture was prepared by mixing fly ash, fine aggregate, nano-slag, and SP in Na2SiO3/NaOH solution. The mixture was divided into three different groups, with constant water to fly ash ratio of 0.1, and different alkaline content: 0.4, 0.45, and 0.5 of fly ash rather than two curing techniques (moist and autoclave). Several hardeness properties of concrete like compressive strength, density; and splitting tensile strength were examined after 28 d. The microstructural development of geopolymer concrete was monitored using X-Ray Diffractometer. Based on the results of this investigation, it is recommended to cure the geopolymer concrete by autoclaving rather than the traditional moist technique, especially at lower alkaline dosage. However, the partial addition of nano slag by weight of FA had a positive effect on both curing techniques.

Modelling the removal of Lead from synthetic contaminated water by activated carbon from biomass of Diplocyclos Palmatus by RSM

A.Sivaprakasam, T. Venugopal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002929

Paper Topic:

Multidisciplinary research in environmental science

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Abstract

Diplocyclos Palmatus biomass activated carbon (DPAC) was used in this work to remove lead (II) ion from the synthetic wastewater. The DPAC was characterized for structural, surface morphology by SEM, functional group was analyzed by FT-IR and XRD analysis. Removal of Pb2+ was studied by batch method and various experimental parameters namely effect of Pb2+ concentration, contact time, effect of temperature; pH and effect of matrix were also studied. Kinetic modelling studies showed that the adsorption of Pb2+ ion follows pseudo second order mechanism and Langmuir isotherm model was found to fit better for this study. Thermodynamic study shows a negative value for ΔG indicating the process is spontaneous. Box Behnken Design using response surface methodology as DOE was carried out in this work. RSM modelling was found to be successful in predicting the removal efficiency with R2 greater than 0.95.

Cadmium accumulation and its effects on physiological characteristics of Arundo donax L. in a simulated wetland

No further data available

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002580

Paper Topic:

CEST2017 - Heavy metals in the environment

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Abstract

A simulated wetland experiment was used to investigate the effect of cadmium (Cd) on the growth of Arundo donax, as well as its photosynthetic characteristics and antioxidant enzyme activities. Cd accumulation in the order of stem < roots < leaves increased gradually with increasing Cd concentrations. Due to the higher transport of Cd, its accumulation in the aboveground parts of A. donax was nearly 2 times that in belowground parts. There were no differences in physiological parameters, such as the relative chlorophyll content (SPAD), the potential (Fv/Fm) or effective (Y) photochemical efficiency of PSII, and photosynthetic rate (Pn). There were slight changes in transpiration rate (Tr), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) and stomatal conductivity (Gs). The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was stimulated by Cd treatments, and the decrease in catalase (CAT) was compensated by the induction of peroxidase (POD) suggesting these two enzymes function concurrently to remove H2O2. These results indicate that despite the oxidative stress involved in the mechanism of Cd toxicity associated with the high transport of Cd in A. donax, its photosynthetic system was not harmed. This suggests a strong tolerance of this species to increased Cd pollution and its potential use for phytoremediation purposes in wetland environment.

Study of potential availability of heavy metals to phytoremediation to use of ash from biomass combustion

No further data available

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002632

Paper Topic:

CEST2017 - Heavy metals in the environment

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Abstract

Ashes, formed as a result of combustion of biomass are a new class of by-products of combustion and due to the large variety of these materials their chemical composition has not been fully determined. Their use is limited, despite the fact that their production has increased. This work presents the results of studies on the possibility of limiting the potential availability of Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn for plants by use of an inorganic stabilizer - ash from biomass combustion. In this study the usefulness of ash from biomass for binding mobile fractions of heavy metals (Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn) was evaluated. The investigations were executed using three extraction tests with the use of the following extraction solutions: 1 M HNO3 – acid soluble forms (As), 0.05 M EDTA – bioavailable forms (Bio), 2.5% CH3COOH – exchangeable forms (Ex). The values of the following parameters: Mobility Index (MI), Contamination Factor (CF), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Geo – accumulation Index (Igeo) and Ecological Risk Index (RI) were defined and determined for their suitability as a test soil stabilizer. Furthermore, a multivariate statistical analysis was carried out. It was found, that a phytoremediation process using investigated ash from biomass combustion can be applied to soil contaminated by heavy metals.

Heavy metals risk assessment in water and bottom sediments of ICOLLs in Northern Poland

No further data available

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.002634

Paper Topic:

CEST2017 - Heavy metals in the environment

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Abstract

Natural diversity of intermittently closed and open lakes and lagoons (ICOLLs) depends on mutual interactions of several factors: (i) an impact of sea water and land background; (ii) temporary meteorological situation; (iii) hydrological conditions; and (iv) the shape of lake basin. However, some regional, local or even sudden impacts including anthropogenic ones create their final ecological status. To identify heavy metals risk assessment in ICOLLs located in Polish coastline wide range of them were determined in water and bottom sediment samples collected in 10 water reservoirs. Multidimensional data set of 20 variables was explored by the use of chemometrics according to seasonality (Spring, Summer, Autumn), sample type (water, sediment) and level of isolation (fully isolated, partially and fully connected lakes). The results showed that 70.5% and 77% of the data variance can be explained by the use of principal component analysis for waters and sediments, respectively. Waters of fully isolated or partially connected lakes are more abundant with Ir, Nd and Sm, while less abundant with Pr and Sr. Bottom sediments taken from Jamno lake show significant contamination by heavy metals of the highest environmental concern (Al, Cr, Cu, Ni, Ti and Zn).