Journal of Ecology and Rural Environment ›› 2017, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (1): 91-96.doi: 10.11934/j.issn.1673-4831.2017.01.013

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Comparative Analysis of Natural and Treated Clay Laterites in Phosphate Adsorption Capacity in Water

HAN Cheng-hui1, LI Sheng-sheng2, HE Fei3, GAN Fang-qun1, TANG Rong1, QIN Pin-zhu1, HANG Xiao-shuai3   

  1. 1. College of Environment and Ecology, Jiangsu Open University(The City Vocational College of Jiangsu), Nanjing 210017, China;
    2. Institute of Geoanalysis of Anhui Province, Hefei 230001, China;
    3. Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Nanjing 210042, China
  • Received:2016-01-29 Online:2017-01-25 Published:2017-01-22

Abstract:

Phosphorus adsorption capacities of 8 types of natural clay laterites and treated (roasted or spiked with natural minerals) clay laterites in phosphorus-polluted water were investigated in a simulation experiment and mechanisms of the laterites adsorbing phosphorus explored through isothermal adsorption. Results show that all the 8 types of natural clay laterites were more or less able to adsorb phosphorus in water, but they varied in performance in waters different in pollution degree. The clay laterite from Jiangxi province was the highest in P removal efficiency in wastewaters of Grade V or Grade V on the lower side. The Freundlich equation fitted well with phosphate adsorption isothermal curves of the natural clay laterites in terms of R2 value, which indicates that the adsorption was in the form of inhomogeneous multi-molecular-layer adsorption. In wastewater with the initial phosphorus concentration reaching 200 mg·L-1, the natural lay laterites might adsorb as much as 2.38 mg·g-1 phosphorus. Roasting or baking significantly enhanced the soils' phosphate adsorption capacity. Spiking natural minerals did not have much effect on phosphorus adsorption capacity of the soils, but could effectively neutralize acidity of the effluents. All the findings demonstrate that clay laterites can be used potentially as adsorbent to purify phosphorus-polluted wastewater, and different processing methods should be adopted to improve P adsorption and wastewater purification efficiency of the materials.

Key words: clay laterite, phosphate, adsorption capability, polluted water

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