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Mustard waste biomass was tested as a biosorbent for the removal of Pb(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solution. This strategy may be a sustainable option for the utilization of such wastes. The influence of the most important operating parameters of the biosorption process was analyzed in batch experiments, and optimal conditions were found to include initial solution pH 5.5, 5.0 g biosorbent/L, 2 hours of contact time and high temperature. Kinetics analyses show that the maximum of biosorption was quickly reached and could be described by a pseudo-second order kinetic model. The equilibrium data were well fitted by the Langmuir model, and the highest values of maximum biosorption capacity were obtained with Pb(II), followed by Zn(II) and Cd(II). The thermodynamic parameters of the biosorption process (ΔG, ΔH and ΔS) were also evaluated from isotherms. The results of this study suggest that mustard waste biomass can be used for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous media.

The removal of metal ions by biosorption on inexpensive materials is still a challenge for environmental engineering research. In this study, marine green algae biomass (Ulva lactuca sp.) and the biochars obtained from this biomass, at 320 °C (BC-320) and 550 °C (BC-550), were used as biosorbents for the removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution. In addition to comparing the biosorption capacities, the determination of the thermodynamic parameters allows the choice of the most suitable material for the biosorption processes. The experimental results, obtained for Cu(II) ions biosorption on each biosorbent (algae biomass (AB), BC-320 and BC-550), at three different temperatures (10, 30 and 50 °C) were analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, while pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intra-particle diffusions models were used to model the kinetic data. The biosorption of Cu(II) ions is best described by the Langmuir model and the pseudo-second kinetic model, regardless of the type of biosorbent. Such behavior is characteristic for the retention of metal ions on low-cost materials, and is explained in the literature using the concepts of molecular symmetry. The maximum biosorption capacity (qmax, mg/g) depends on the temperature, but also on the type of biosorbent, and follow the order: BC-320 < AB < BC-550. Using the experimental isotherms, the thermodynamic parameters (ΔG0, ΔH0 and ΔS0) for the biosorption of Cu(II) ions on each biosorbent were calculated. The analysis of the obtained values constitutes the main arguments in choosing BC-550 as the most effective biosorbent for the removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of high concentrations of metal ions in effluents resulting from industrial metal coatings is a well-known fact. Most of the time, such metal ions, once they reach the environment, significantly contribute to its degradation. Therefore, it is essential that the concentration of metal ions is reduced (as much as possible) before such effluents are discharged into the environment to minimize the negative impact on the quality of the ecosystems. Among all methods that can be used to reduce the concentration of metal ions, sorption is one of the most viable options due to its high efficiency and low cost. Moreover, due to the fact that many industrial wastes have sorbent properties, this method is in accordance with the principles of circular economy. Based on these considerations, in this study, mustard waste biomass (resulting from oil extraction) was functionalized with an industrial polymeric thiocarbamate (METALSORB) and used as a sorbent to remove Cu(II), Zn(II) and Co(II) ions from aqueous media. The best conditions for the functionalization of mustard waste biomass were found to be: mixing ratio biomass: METASORB = 1 g: 1.0 mL and a temperature of 30 °C. The experimental sorption capacities of functionalized sorbent (MET-MWB) were 0.42 mmol/g for Cu(II), 0.29 mmol/g for Zn(II) and 0.47 mmol/g for Co(II), which were obtained under the following conditions: pH of 5.0, 5.0 g sorbent/L and a temperature of 21 °C. The modeling of isotherms and kinetic curves as well as the analysis of the results obtained from desorption processes demonstrate the usefulness of this sorbent in the treatment of effluents contaminated with metal ions. In addition, tests on real wastewater samples highlight the potential of MET-MWB for large-scale applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution using Ulva lactuca sp. algae biomass and biochar obtained from the algae biomass at 550°C (BC-550). The algae biomass was collected from the Romanian coast of the Black Sea, and due to its high carbon content, it was suitable for biochar preparation. Biosorption experiments were conducted in batch systems with varying initial pH, biosorbent dose, initial Cu(II) ions concentration, contact time, and temperature to determine optimal experimental conditions. Results showed that an initial solution pH of 5, 4.0 g/L biosorbent dose, 60 minutes of contact time and ambient temperature (23±1 °C) were optimal. Both biosorbents had the ability to remove Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution, but the biochar had a higher biosorption capacity (33.89 mg/g) than the algae biomass (21.61 mg/g). Equilibrium and kinetic data were analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich models, as well as the pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order kinetic models, which allowed for quantitative evaluation of the retention efficiency of Cu(II) ions on the two biosorbents. The results suggest that the two materials have potential applications in metal ion removal processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]