title: Methylene blue and iodine adsorption onto an activated desert plant.
abstract: Although frequently less toxic than many colorless effluents, colored effluents are generally considered by the public as an indicator of pollution. The present investigation aimed at identifying the effectiveness of a local desert plant characteristic of Southwest Algeria and known as Salsolavermiculata, which was pyrolyzed and treated chemically with a 50% zinc chloride solution, to remove methylene blue and iodine. The natural plant adsorption capacities were respectively 23mg/g and 272mg/g for methylene blue and iodine. Corresponding results for the pyrolyzed plant uptakes were 53mg/g and 951mg/g, while those for the pyrolyzed plant, chemically treated and activated at 650 degrees C, were 130mg/g and 1178mg/g, respectively. In comparison, the standard Merck activated carbon capacities were 200mg/g for methylene blue and 950mg/g for iodine. Consequently, this low-cost local plant may also prove useful for the removal of large organic molecules as well as potential inorganic contaminants.
authors.affiliation: Departement de chimie, Faculté des sciences et sciences de l'Ingénieur, Université de Mostaganem, BP188, Algeria. Bestanib@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bestani
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Benderdouche
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Benstaali
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Belhakem
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Addou
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption / Q000187:drug effects; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental / Q000187:drug effects; D002244:Carbon / Q000494:pharmacology; D003889:Desert Climate; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / Q000187:drug effects; D007455:Iodine / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007700:Kinetics; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D031248:Salsola / Q000378:metabolism*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002244:Carbon; D007455:Iodine; D008751:Methylene Blue