title: Removal of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from petrochemical wastewater using low-cost adsorbents of natural origin.
abstract: Removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from petrochemical wastewater was investigated using various low-cost adsorbents of natural origin including sugar cane bagasse, green coconut shells, chitin, and chitosan. Adsorption experiments of mixtures of PAHs (5.0-15.0 mg/L) have been carried out at ambient temperature (28+/-2 degrees C) and pH 7.5. The adsorption isotherms of PAHs were in agreement with a Freundlich model, while the uptake capacity of PAHs followed the order: green coconut shells>sugar cane bagasse>chitin>chitosan. The adsorption properties of green coconut shells were comparable to those of some conventional adsorbents such as Amberlite T. The partition coefficients in acetone:water, the adsorption constants at equilibrium, and the molecular masses of the PAHs could be linearly correlated with octanol-water partition coefficients.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química Analítica e Físico Química, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Campus do Pici, Centro de Ciências, Bloco 940, CEP: 60451-970 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rudy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Crisafully
authors.forename: Maria Aparecida L
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Milhome
authors.forename: Rivelino M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Cavalcante
authors.forename: Edilberto R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Silveira
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Keukeleire
authors.forename: Ronaldo F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Nascimento
mesh_terms: D000096:Acetone / Q000737:chemistry; D000327:Adsorption; D002686:Chitin / Q000737:chemistry; D003059:Cocos / Q000378:metabolism; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D013696:Temperature; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014867:Water; D000096:Acetone; D002686:Chitin