Efficacy of Adsorbents of 2,4-D and Atrazine removal from water environment

The efficacy of low cost adsorbing materials for removal of 2,4-D (2,4 dichloro phenoxy acetic acid) and
atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethyamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5 triazine) herbicides from drinking water was
evaluated. Five low cost adsorbents, viz. wood charcoal, rubber granules, bottom ash, macro fungi sajor
caju and florida were tested. The above materials were selected from organic, inorganic and biological
sources. For the selection of the suitable adsorbent for 2,4-D and atrazine uptake, the maximum
adsorption capacity (Qmax) was chosen as the main parameter. Using linearized forms of equilibrium
models like Langmuir, Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET), Freundlich and Lopez-Gonzalez models
(L-G models), the maximum adsorptive capacities were determined. Wood charcoal showed the best
adsorptive capacity with Qmax of 0.70 mg g-1 for 2,4-D and 0.80 mg g-1 for atrazine followed by 0.40 mg g-1
for 2,4-D and 0.47 mg g-1 for atrazine by rubber granules. Bottom ash, sajor caju and florida gave poor
performance.