Assessment of heavy metal pollution from anthropogenic activities and remediation strategies: A review.

Biochar modification to enhance sorption of inorganics from water

Recently, biochar has received significant attention, especially for the removal of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from water and wastewater. No review has been focused on the potential use of wood-based biochar (WB) for the removal of PTEs in water and wastewater. Here, we have critically reviewed the (i) preparation and characterisation of WB; (ii) removal efficiency of WB for PTEs in water with respect to its physicochemical characteristics, biochar/water ratio, pH, and sorption system; (iii) removal mechanisms of PTEs by WB; (iv) fate of the sorbed PTEs onto WB; and (v) recovery of the sorbed PTEs from the resultant sludge of WB. We also discussed the removal of PTEs by engineered/designer WB as compared to pristine WB. This review demonstrates the overarching scientific opportunities for a comprehensive understanding of using WB as an emerging biosorbent and a promising low-cost and effective material for the remediation of PTEs contaminated water.

Wood-based biochar for the removal of potentially toxic elements in water and wastewater: a critical review

The solid-liquid interface reaction between phosphate rock (PR) and metals (Pb, Cu, and Zn) was studied. Phosphate rock has the highest affinity for Pb, followed by Cu and Zn, with sorption capacities of 138, 114, and 83.2 mmol/kg PR, respectively. In the Pb-Cu-Zn ternary system, competitive metal sorption occurred with sorption capacity reduction of 15.2%, 48.3%, and 75.6% for Pb, Cu, and Zn, respectively compared to the mono-metal systems. A fractional factorial design showed the interfering effect in the order of Pb>Cu>Zn. Desorption of Cu and Zn was sensitive to pH change, increasing with pH decline, whereas Pb desorption was decreased with a strongly acidic TCLP extracting solution (pH = 2.93). The greatest stability of Pb retention by PR can be attributed to the formation of insoluble fluoropyromorphite [Pb(10)(PO(4))(6)F(2)], which was primarily responsible for Pb immobilization (up to 78.3%), with less contribution from the surface adsorption or complexation (21.7%), compared to 74.5% for Cu and 95.7% for Zn. Solution pH reduction during metal retention and flow calorimetry analysis both supported the hypothesis of retention of Pb, Cu, and Zn by surface adsorption or complexation. Flow calorimetry indicated that Pb and Cu adsorption onto PR was exothermic, while Zn sorption was endothermic. Our research demonstrated that PR can effectively remove Pb from solutions, even in the presence of other heavy metals (e.g. Cu, Zn).

https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1014&context=ersc_fac

Understanding the Mechanisms of Lead, Copper, and Zinc Retention by Phosphate Rock

Microporous materials such as zeolites, metal organic frameworks, activated carbons and aluminum phosphates are suitable for catalysis and separation applications. These high surface area materials are invariably produced in particulate forms and need to be transformed into hierarchically porous structures for high performance adsorbents or catalysts. Structuring of porous powders enables an optimized structure with high mass transfer, low pressure drop, good heat management, and high mechanical and chemical stability. The requirements and important properties of hierarchically porous structures are reviewed with a focus on applications in gas separation and catalysis. Versatile powder processing routes to process porous powders into hierarchically porous structures like extrusion, coatings of scaffolds and honeycombs, colloidal processing and direct casting, and sacrificial approaches are presented and discussed. The use and limitations of the use of inorganic binders for increasing the mechanical strength is reviewed, and the most important binder systems, e.g. clays and silica, are described in detail. Recent advances to produce binder-free and complex shaped hierarchically porous monoliths are described and their performance is compared with traditional binder-containing structured adsorbents. Needs related to better thermal management and improved kinetics and volume efficiency are discussed and an outlook on future research is also given.

https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/1017336.pdf

Structuring adsorbents and catalysts by processing of porous powders

Production, characterization and adsorption studies of bamboo-based biochar/montmorillonite composite for nitrate removal

The history of sorption and ion-exchange processes starts with the use of natural materials which properties were discovered coincidentally and ends with the age of polymer and anorganic—or synthetic sorbents specifically made for a particular project. Its objectives are focused on sorption of anthropogenic radionuclides originating from nuclear power plant operations (fission, activation, corrosion products and transuranium elements) on bentonites, zeolites, hydroxyapatites, magnetic sorbent, ferrocyanides, and silica sorbent. Bentonites from Slovak deposits should be used as part of multi-barrier system in deep geological repository for spent nuclear fuel and high level radioactive waste. Zeolites are used as molecular sieves, catalysts, ion-exchangers, sorbents, water softeners, in wastewater treatment, in chemistry industry, buildings. Hydroxyapatite is a suitable sorbent for heavy metals and radionuclides due to its low water solubility, high stability under reducing and oxidizing conditions, high specific surface area and good buffering properties. The leaching wastes from the Sereď hydrometallurgical plant represent a large stock of inexpensive, ready-to-use magnetic sorbent for the decontamination of soil or sediments in their common suspensions, followed by the magnetic separation and sorbent recycling. Insoluble ferrocyanides of nickel are highly selective sorbents for heavy alkali metals ions, and therefore can be used to separate cesium from liquid radioactve waste. Silica sorbents modified with imidazole can be used for the separation of cobalt ions from aqueous solution.

Sorption of anthropogenic radionuclides on natural and synthetic inorganic sorbents

The basic strategic aims in the field of managing high-level radioactive waste and liquidation of nuclear power plants are all contained in the Energy policy of the Slovak Republic. Its aim is to resolve the concept of the backside of the nuclear energetics fuel cycle—long-term deposition of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel (SNF). The most important form of high-level radioactive waste and SNF long-term deposition is their deposition in deep geological formations created by natural as well as engineering barriers used to isolate the long-lived radionuclides from the biosphere. The basic components of these barriers are clays, of which bentonite is generally referred to as the most suitable clay material. There are a few significant bentonite deposits in the Slovak Republic: Jelsový potok, Kopernica, Lastovce, Lieskovec, Dolna Ves. The review article summarizes the information on geotechnical properties of Slovak bentonites published up-to-date, which is inevitable to know for the intention of their use. It highlights the advantages and shows drawbacks of five Slovak deposits. It suggests further research direction, to draw a thorough hydraulical, microbial and radiation profile of Slovak bentonites.

Utilization of Slovak bentonites in deposition of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel

The physical and chemical properties of illitic clay minerals from Slovak deposit suitable for application in engineering barriers for high level radioactive waste repositories and spent nuclear fuels were studied. The isolation of spent nuclear fuels and high level radioactive wastes from the outer environment in a deep repository is gained by means of a system of multiple engineering and natural sealing barriers. Vital segments in a multiple barrier system are clay rocks, of which bentonites represent the most suitable clay material. Cs-adsorption on fine fractions of adsorbents (bentonites from three Slovak deposits: Jelsový potok J15, Kopernica K15, Lieskovec L15 and montmorillonite K10) has been studied with using batch of radiometric techniques. Adsorption parameters have been determined for adsorbent-cesium solution system as a function of contact time and adsorbate concentration. The influences of pH change, the effect of competitive cations, complex-forming organic chelating agents on the adsorption of Cs have also been studied.

Cesium sorption on bentonites and montmorillonite K10.

Sorption of Sr on five Slovak bentonites of deposits has been studied with the use of batch technique. In the experiments there have been used natural, chemically modified and irradiated samples, in three different kinds of grain size. The pH influence on sorption of strontium on bentonites, pH change after sorption and influence of competitive ions have been studied. Distribution ratios have been determined for bentonite–strontium solution system as a function of contact time, pH and sorbate concentration. The data have been interpreted in term of Langmuir isotherm. The uptake of Sr has been rapid and the sorption of strontium has increased by increasing pH. The percentage sorption has decreased with increasing metal concentrations. The pH value after sorption for the natrificated forms of bentonite starts already in the alkaline area and moves to the higher values. For the natural bentonites the values occur in the neutral or in the acidic area. Sorption of Sr has been suppressed by presence of competitive cations as follows: Ba2+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > NH4+ > K+ > Na+. By sorption on natrificated samples colloidal particles and pH value increase have been formed. The bentonite exposure as a result of interaction of γ-rays has led to expansion of the specific surface, increasing of the sorption capacity and to the change in the solubility of the clay materials.

Michal Galamboš

Papers

Production, characterization and adsorption studies of bamboo-based biochar/montmorillonite composite for nitrate removal

Sorption of anthropogenic radionuclides on natural and synthetic inorganic sorbents

Utilization of Slovak bentonites in deposition of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel

Cesium sorption on bentonites and montmorillonite K10.

Sorption of strontium on Slovak bentonites