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Efficient Nitrate Adsorption from Groundwater by Biochar-Supported Al-Substituted Goethite

Author

Listed:
  • Li Wang

    (Institute of Architecture, Xianyang Vocational Technical College, Xianyang 712000, China)

  • Siyuan Liu

    (College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China)

  • Wendi Xuan

    (College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China)

  • Shaopeng Li

    (College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China)

  • Anlei Wei

    (College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, China)

Abstract

Groundwater nitrate contamination is challenging and requires efficient solutions for nitrate removal. This study aims to investigate nitrate removal using a novel adsorbent, biochar-supported aluminum-substituted goethite (BAG). The results showed that an increase in the initial Al/(Al + Fe) atomic ratio for BAGs from 0 to 20% decreased the specific surface area from 115.2 to 75.7 m 2 /g, but enhanced the surface charge density from 0.0180 to 0.0843 C/m 2 . By comparison, 10% of Al/(Al + Fe) led to the optimal adsorbent for nitrate removal. The adsorbent’s adsorption capacity was effective with a wide pH range (4–8), and decreased with increasing ionic strength. The descending order of nitrate adsorption inhibition by co-existing anions was SO 4 2− , HCO 3 − , PO 4 3− , and Cl − . The adsorption kinetics and isotherms agreed well with the pseudo-first-order equation and Langmuir model, respectively. The theoretical maximum adsorption capacity was 96.1469 mg/g. Thermodynamic analysis showed that the nitrate adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic. After 10-cycle regeneration, the BAG still kept 92.6% of its original adsorption capacity for synthetic nitrate-contaminated groundwater. Moreover, the main adsorption mechanism was attributed to electrostatic attraction due to the enhancement of surface charge density by Al substitution. Accordingly, the BAG adsorbent is a potential solution to remove nitrate from groundwater.

Suggested Citation

  • Li Wang & Siyuan Liu & Wendi Xuan & Shaopeng Li & Anlei Wei, 2022. "Efficient Nitrate Adsorption from Groundwater by Biochar-Supported Al-Substituted Goethite," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-24, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:13:p:7824-:d:848934
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    1. ChaoQing Yu & Xiao Huang & Han Chen & H. Charles J. Godfray & Jonathon S. Wright & Jim W. Hall & Peng Gong & ShaoQiang Ni & ShengChao Qiao & GuoRui Huang & YuChen Xiao & Jie Zhang & Zhao Feng & XiaoTa, 2019. "Managing nitrogen to restore water quality in China," Nature, Nature, vol. 567(7749), pages 516-520, March.
    2. Javier Martínez-Dalmau & Julio Berbel & Rafaela Ordóñez-Fernández, 2021. "Nitrogen Fertilization. A Review of the Risks Associated with the Inefficiency of Its Use and Policy Responses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-15, May.
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    1. Zhichao Shi & Aowen Ma & Yuanhang Chen & Menghan Zhang & Yin Zhang & Na Zhou & Shisuo Fan & Yi Wang, 2023. "The Removal of Tetracycline from Aqueous Solutions Using Peanut Shell Biochars Prepared at Different Pyrolysis Temperatures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, January.
    2. Wafae Abbach & Charaf Laghlimi & Jalal Isaad, 2023. "Amine-Grafted Pomegranate Peels for the Simultaneous Removal of Nitrate and Phosphate Anions from Wastewater," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-21, September.

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