Effect of coexisting components on phosphate adsorption using magnetite particles in water

In this study, we focused on the rate of adsorption of phosphate on to the surface of magnetite in the presence of coexisting anions, organic matters and heavy metals. Magnetite particles were prepared using a co-precipitation method. Iron (II) sulfate heptahydrate and iron (III) chloride hexahydrate were mixed and then a sodium hydroxide solution was added drop-wise in the mixed iron solution. Coexisting anions were found to have no effect on the decrease in phosphate adsorption. However, phosphate adsorbed on to magnetite surface decreased with increasing total organic carbon (TOC) concentration of natural organic matter (NOM) such as citric, oxalic, and humic acid. The amount of phosphate adsorbed rapidly decreased with the increase of NOM concentration; therefore, it can be noted that NOM concentration considerably affects the adsorption of phosphate due to the negative charge exiting on the surface of NOMs. Glucose and ethanol, meanwhile, were found to have no effect on the phosphate adsorption. The amount of phosphate adsorbed did not change in the presence of heavy metals, namely, Pb and Cd, under acidic conditions. However, under alkaline conditions, the amount of phosphate adsorbed decreased with increasing concentrations of Pb and Cd. In the case of coexisting As(III), the amount of phosphate adsorbed decreased at all pH levels with increasing As(III) concentrations.