Continuous thorium biosorption--dynamic study for critical bed depth determination in a fixed-bed reactor

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Biotechnology
• Radiochemistry

Background:

• Thorium contamination poses environmental and health risks.
• Biosorption offers a sustainable method for removing heavy metals from wastewater.
• Seaweed biomass, like Sargassum filipendula, shows potential for adsorptive remediation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the critical bed depth of Sargassum filipendula for effective thorium biosorption.
• To evaluate thorium uptake in a dynamic biosorption system using varying bed depths.
• To optimize seaweed-based remediation of radioactive elements.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a dynamic biosorption system with Sargassum filipendula biomass.
• Tested multiple bed depths ranging from 5.0 cm to 40.0 cm.
• Analyzed effluent to quantify residual thorium levels at different bed depths.

Main Results:

• Biosorption efficiency increased with greater bed depths.
• A 30.0 cm bed depth resulted in effluent with detectable thorium.
• Complete thorium removal was achieved at a critical bed depth of 40.0 cm.

Conclusions:

• Sargassum filipendula is effective for thorium removal via biosorption.
• A minimum bed depth of 40.0 cm is required for complete thorium remediation.
• Dynamic biosorption systems with optimized seaweed bed depths are viable for radioactive element removal.