MODIFIED TEA LEAVES RESIDUAL FOR NICOTINE ADSORPTION

The boiled tea leaves residual was modified with oleum of weight 1:1 to prepare an adsorbent that is capable to adsorb nicotine on its surface. The surface properties of the sample were studied by using the FT-IR spectroscopy after each treatment resulting obvious peaks that indicate the modification of the sample with oleum and the adsorption of nicotine on its surface. The concentration of nicotine in the prepared solutions was measured by the use of spectral analysis. The change of nicotine΄s adsorption was studied with the change of time. An increase in the adsorbed amount was noticed until the equilibrium was reached after 24hours. In addition, an increase of the adsorbed amount of nicotine with the increase of its initial concentration was observed at the room temperature. The experimental data corresponded with adsorption models of Langmuir, Freundlish and Temkin, besides, a mechanism of the adsorption of nicotine was suggested to occur with the participation of the two nitrogen atoms.

Impact of Sinorhizobium meliloti Exopolysaccharide on Adsorption and Aggregation in the Copper(II) Ions/Supporting Electrolyte/Kaolinite System

To obtain insight into physicochemical interactions between Cu(II) ions, kaolinite, and exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesized by Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm 1021 soil bacteria, an adsorption, electrokinetic, and aggregation study was performed in the selected systems. The obtained data showed that supporting electrolyte type affects both EPS and Cu(II) ions adsorption. For initial Cu(II) concentration 100 mg/L, 4.36 ± 0.25 mg/g (21.80 ± 1.00%) of the ions were adsorbed in 0.001 M NaCl and 3.76 ± 0.20 mg/g (18.80 ± 1.00%) in 0.001 M CaCl2. The experimental data were best fitted to the Langmuir model as well as pseudo second-order equation. The EPS adsorbed amount on kaolinite was higher in the CaCl2 electrolyte than in NaCl one. For an initial polymer concentration of 100 mg/L, the EPS adsorbed amount was 4.69 ± 0.08 mg/g (23.45 ± 0.40%) in 0.001 M NaCl and 5.26 ± 0.15 mg/g (26.32 ± 0.75%) in 0.001 M CaCl2. In the mixed system, regardless of electrolyte type, exopolysaccharide contributed to immobilization of higher amount of copper(II) ions on the clay mineral. Also, in the samples containing heavy metal ions and exopolysaccharide simultaneously, the aggregation of kaolinite particles was the strongest. The results presented in the paper may be very helpful in soil bioremediation, especially in the development of technologies reducing the mobility of heavy metals in the environment.

Adsorption mechanisms of atrazine isolated and mixed with glyphosate formulations in soil

In Brazil, the atrazine has been applied frequently to join with glyphosate to control resistant biotypes and weed tolerant species to glyphosate. However, there are no studies about atrazine's behavior in soil when applied in admixture with glyphosate. Knowledge of atrazine's sorption and desorption mixed with glyphosate is necessary because the lower sorption and higher desorption may increase the leaching and runoff of pesticides, reaching groundwaters and rivers. Thereby, the objective of this study was to evaluate the adsorption mechanisms of atrazine when isolated and mixed with glyphosate formulations in a Red-Yellow Latosol. The maximum adsorbed amount of atrazine in equilibrium (qe) was not altered due to glyphosate formulations. The time to reach equilibrium was shortest when atrazine was mixed with the Roundup Ready® (te = 4.3 hours) due to the higher adsorption velocity (k2 = 2.3 mg min-1) in the soil. The highest sorption of atrazine occurred when mixed with the Roundup WG®, with the Freundlich sorption coefficient (Kf) equal to 2.51 and 2.43 for both formulation concentrations. However, other glyphosate formulations did not affect the sorption of atrazine. The desorption of atrazine was high for all treatments, with values close to 80% of the initial adsorbed amount, without differences among isolated and mixed treatments. The change in the velocity and capacity of sorption for the atrazine mixed with some glyphosate formulations indicates that further studies should be conducted to identify the mechanisms involved in this process.

Chromium(VI) reduction and accumulation on the kaolinite surface in the presence of cationic soil flocculant

Purpose Heavy metal soluble forms pose a threat to plants, soil microflora, and microfauna. To limit their toxicity and mobility, various immobilizing additives are being developed. The main aim of the study was to determine the influence of soil flocculant (cationic polyacrylamide (CtPAM)) on the hexavalent chromium ion reduction and accumulation on the kaolinite surface. In this way, the efficiency of the selected polymer conditioner in the soil remediation was determined. Materials and methods The adsorbed amounts of Cr(VI) and CtPAM on the kaolinite surface was determined spectrophotometrically (spectrophotometer UV/Vis) using specific indicators. The structure of electrical double layer formed on the kaolinite surface in the mixed system of cationic polyacrylamide and Cr(VI) ions was described based on the adsorptive measurements, zeta potential measurements, as well as potentiometric titration. The kaolinite aggregation in the presence of CtPAM and/or Cr(VI) ions was determined spectrophotometrically and proved using SEM microscopy. The reduction process of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) occurring in the adsorption layer was determined by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Results and discussion The obtained results indicated that cationic polyacrylamide contributes to Cr(VI) reduction to Cr(III) form in the kaolinite suspension. This heavy metal ions are strongly adsorbed by the applied clay mineral, especially at pH 5 (then the Cr(VI)-adsorbed amount equals 5.42 mg/g). The CtPAM addition favors the Cr(VI) ion immobilization on the kaolinite surface. In the conditioner presence, the heavy metal-adsorbed amount is even at 7.34 mg/g. The adsorption of CtPAM and chromium(VI) ions induces changes in the kaolinite surface charge density and electrokinetic potential. What is more, both substances favors the kaolinite aggregation. Conclusions Cationic polyacrylamide may be considered a substance reducing the toxicity of chromium(VI) ions in the natural environment and decreasing their availability for soil organisms. It can improve the soil structure (by stimulating aggregation) and reduce environment pollution with heavy metals simultaneously.

Anionic polyacrylamide influence on the lead(II) ion accumulation in soil – the study on montmorillonite

Purpose Polymeric substances, as soil conditioners, limit the erosion process as well as improve the soil structure. The same macromolecular compounds may influence the heavy metal accumulation in soil environment. The main aim of this study was investigation of anionic polyacrylamide (AN PAM) effect on the lead(II) ion sorption on the montmorillonite surface. The effects of Pb(II) ion concentration, sequence of heavy metal and anionic polymer addition into the system as well as anionic group content in the PAM macromolecules were also studied. Materials and methods The study was performed on montmorillonite (clay mineral). Two types of polymers were used: AN PAM 5% and AN PAM 30% containing 5% and 30% of carboxylic groups, respectively. The adsorbed amounts of Pb(II) ions or AN PAM on the solid were determined spectrophotometrically. Electrokinetic properties of the examined systems were established using potentiometric titration and microelectrophoresis method. The montmorillonite aggregation without and with selected substances was described based on the sedimentation study. Results At pH 5 the Pb(II) adsorbed amount on montmorillonite equaled 0.05 mg/m2 (for the initial concentration 10 ppm). Anionic polyacrylamide increased this value significantly (it was 0.11 mg/m2 with AN PAM 5% and 0.11 mg/m2 with AN PAM 30%). The lead(II) ions presence causes a slight increase of the anionic PAM adsorption on the montmorillonite surface. For example, for the initial polymer concentration 100 ppm, the AN PAM 5% adsorbed amount without Pb(II) equaled 0.49 mg/m2, whereas with Pb(II) – 0.57 mg/m2. What is more, anionic polyacrylamide and lead(II) ions affected electrokinetic properties and stability of the montmorillonite suspension. Conclusions Anionic polyacrylamide makes the Pb(II) accumulation on the montmorillonite surface larger and, as a consequence, reduces the Pb(II) availability to organisms. Therefore, this macromolecular compound can certainly be used to remediate soils contaminated with heavy metals.

Colloidal ZnCO3 as a Powerful Depressant of Arsenopyrite in Weakly Alkaline Pulp and the Interaction Mechanism

The effects of ZnSO4 on arsenopyrite depression were studied with sodium carbonate and sodium isobutyl xanthate (SIBX) as the pH regulator and collector, respectively. In both micro and real ore flotation tests, ZnSO4 showed better depression on arsenopyrite (pH 7.5–9.0 adjusted by Na2CO3) compared with sodium humate. The depression mechanism of ZnSO4 on arsenopyrite flotation was studied by electrokinetic potential, adsorbed amount measurements, scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation and energy dispersive spectra (EDS) detection. The electrokinetic potential measurement results show a potential increase forpleas the arsenopyrite treated with ZnSO4 in the pH range 7.5–9.0, which could be attributed to the formation of the precipitated zinc carbonate (ZnCO3(S)). For arsenopyrite treated with both ZnSO4 and SIBX, the electric surface potentials also display an increase, to approximate the values with solely ZnSO4 treated, at pH 7.5–9.0, indicating the inhibition of ZnCO3(S) upon the SIBX adsorption onto arsenopyrite. Adsorption results demonstrated that SIBX adsorption onto arsenopyrite indeed was inhibited at the pH 7.5-9.0 through the sharp decrease in SIBX adsorbed amount with ZnSO4 as the depressant at this pH range. SEM observation and EDS detection results verify the formation of colloidal ZnCO3 on the arsenopyrite, with ZnSO4 as the depressant in combination with Na2CO3.

Determination of the Odour Adsorption Behaviour of Wool

In this study, the adsorption/desorption behaviours of water vapor on wool, as well as of the redolents, such as acetic acid and benzaldehyde, have been investigated. For this purpose, static and dynamic experiments were carried out. Static experiments were conducted to model stagnant environments. In the experiments, wool came into contact with the material to be adsorbed or dry air and the weight increase/decrease was recorded for a certain period of time. The results obtained showed that the wool adsorbed the benzaldehyde very little, whereas the adsorbed amount and the rate were abundantly increased for acetic acid under the same conditions. From these findings, the adsorption capacity of wool for the redolents was tentatively ranked in accordance with their adsorbed amounts as acetic acid>water>benzaldehyde.

Novel Selective Depressant of Titanaugite and Implication for Ilmenite Flotation

This paper studies the effects of sodium polystyrene sulfonate (PSSNa) used as a depressant upon the separation of ilmenite from titanaugite through flotation when sodium oleate (NaOl) is used as a collector by performing single mineral flotation experiments. The depression mechanism of PSSNa on titanaugite flotation was studied by electrokinetic potential and adsorbed amount measurements together with FTIR and XPS detection. Single mineral flotation experiments show that PSSNa is a selective depressant for the separation of ilmenite and titanaugite via flotation with NaOl as the collector. The results of the adsorbed amount tests show that the biggest distinction is in terms of the amount of NaOl adsorbed on the surfaces of ilmenite and titanaugite; the amount is expanded from 2.28 × 10−7 to 9.34 × 10−7 mol/m2 when the dosage of PSSNa is 1 mg/L, as compared with no PSSNa, suggesting that PSSNa is a selective depressant when separating ilmenite and titanaugite through flotation. FTIR testing shows that chemisorption has occurred between the –SO3− groups of the molecular PSSNa and titanaugite surfaces. The results of further XPS testing reveal that PSSNa chemically interacts with Ca/Mg/Al/Fe on the titanaugite surface. The test results of FTIR in combination with XPS confirm that PSSNa stops NaOl from interacting with Mg, Fe, Al, and Ca on the titanaugite surface, and this outcome is the main reason for the widening of the adsorption quantity gap of NaOl on titanaugite and ilmenite surfaces, and titanaugite flotation is suppressed. The results of the comparison flotation testing on actual Panzhihua titanic iron ore (TiO2 grade: 15.63%) with titanaugite as the main gangue show that a better effect is obtained by replacing sodium silicate (SS) with PSSNa, and the recovery of TiO2 using PSSNa is higher than that when using sodium silicate. In a closed circuit flotation test, ilmenite concentrate is obtained with a TiO2 grade of 45.97% and a recovery of 76.32% by using PSSNa as a titanaugite depressant.

Detection of Triclosan in Tuned Solutions by pH and Ionic Strength Using PAH/PAZO Thin Films

The electronic tongue concept based on layer-by-layer (LbL) films can be used to the detection in water of triclosan (TCS), a pernicious molecule used in personal care products and widely released in the environment. In this work, we analyzed the adsorption of TCS on poly(allylaminehydrochloride) (PAH) and poly[1-[4-(3-carboxy-4hydroxyphenylazo) benzenesulfonamido]-1,2-ethanediyl, sodium salt] (PAZO) layers of PAH/PAZO LbL films. We demonstrate that the adsorbed amount is strongly dependent of pH, the efficiency of adsorption of TCS on PAH layer is higher, and, when PAZO is the outmost layer, the electrical parameters can discriminate the ionic strength on solutions of TCS.