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Adsorbent selection for endosulfan removal from water environment
1Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India.
Summary
Wood charcoal is an effective, low-cost adsorbent for removing the pesticide endosulfan from water. It demonstrated significant endosulfan uptake capacity, making it a viable alternative to expensive activated charcoal.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Water Treatment
Background:
- Endosulfan is a persistent organochlorine pesticide posing risks to aquatic ecosystems.
- Effective and economical methods for endosulfan removal from water are crucial for environmental protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify a low-cost adsorbent material for efficient endosulfan removal from water.
- To evaluate the adsorption capacity and kinetics of various natural materials.
Main Methods:
- Screening of adsorbents including wood charcoal, silica, and macro fungi.
- Adsorption studies using Langmuir, BET, and Freundlich models to determine maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax).
- Kinetic and equilibrium analyses to assess adsorption performance and identify optimal materials.
Main Results:
- Activated charcoal exhibited the highest Qmax (2.145 mg/g), but its cost was prohibitive.
- Wood charcoal demonstrated a high Qmax of 1.773 mg/g, making it the most suitable low-cost option.
- Sojar caju, kimberlite tailings, and silica showed lower endosulfan adsorption capacities.
Conclusions:
- Wood charcoal is identified as an effective and economical adsorbent for endosulfan removal from contaminated water.
- Further characterization suggests potential for enhancing wood charcoal's adsorptive properties.
- This study offers a sustainable solution for pesticide remediation in aquatic environments.