Sorption and de-sorption of 2,4 -D and Atrazine from water environment by waste tyre rubber granules and its management

Waste tyre rubber granules were used as sorption medium in water treatment technology to remove up
to 1 mg l-1 of 2,4-D and atrazine. The removal was found to be 83.2% and 87% corresponding to
initial concentration of 0.5 and 1 mg l-1 of 2,4-D whereas it was 84.2% and 87.6% for atrazine. On the
basis of solubility of specific solution and adsorption interaction, 15% ethyl alcohol and 15% acetone
solutions were found to be effective as regeneration solvents for 2,4-D and atrazine, respectively. Even
after three cycles of sorption and regeneration, rubber granules had significant residual adsorption
capacity; hence it could be reused over many more cycles of operation. Finally, exhausted waste tyre
rubber granules were effectively disposed by mixing it with asphalt.