Uranium biosorption from aqueous solution by the submerged aquatic plant Hydrilla verticillata.
The biosorption characteristics of U(VI) from aqueous solution onto a nonliving aquatic macrophyte, Hydrilla verticillata (dry powder), were investigated under various experimental conditions by using batch methods. Results showed that the adsorption reached equilibrium within 60 min and the experimental data were well fitted by the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. U(VI) adsorption was strongly pH dependent, and the optimum pH for U(VI) removal was 5.5. Isotherm adsorption data displayed good correlation with the Langmuir model, with a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 171.52 mg/g. Thermodynamic studies suggested that U(VI) adsorption onto H. verticillata was an exothermic and spontaneous process in nature. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the amino and hydroxyl groups on the algal surface played an important role in U(VI) adsorption. The mechanisms responsible for U(VI) adsorption could involve electrostatic attraction and ion exchange. In conclusion, H. verticillata biomass showed good potential as an adsorption material for the removal of uranium contaminants in aqueous solution.
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and National International Cooperation Base on Environment and Energy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Xueyuan Road No. 30, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China E-mail: yaojun@ustb.edu.cn; Key Laboratory of Functional Organometallic Materials of College of Hunan Province, Department of Chemistry and Material Science, Hengyang Normal University, Hengyang 421008, China.
Zheng-Ji
ZJ
Yi
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and National International Cooperation Base on Environment and Energy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Xueyuan Road No. 30, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China E-mail: yaojun@ustb.edu.cn.
Jun
J
Yao
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and National International Cooperation Base on Environment and Energy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Xueyuan Road No. 30, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China E-mail: yaojun@ustb.edu.cn.
Mi-Jia
MJ
Zhu
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and National International Cooperation Base on Environment and Energy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Xueyuan Road No. 30, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China E-mail: yaojun@ustb.edu.cn.
Hui-Lun
HL
Chen
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and National International Cooperation Base on Environment and Energy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Xueyuan Road No. 30, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China E-mail: yaojun@ustb.edu.cn.
Fei
F
Wang
Key Laboratory of Functional Organometallic Materials of College of Hunan Province, Department of Chemistry and Material Science, Hengyang Normal University, Hengyang 421008, China.
Xing
X
Liu
D000327:Adsorption; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D031321:Hydrocharitaceae / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D056951:Photoelectron Spectroscopy; D012996:Solutions; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013816:Thermodynamics; D013997:Time Factors; D014501:Uranium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification
D012996:Solutions; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014501:Uranium