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Novel Sorbent of Sand Coated with Humic Acid-Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Elimination of Copper and Cadmium Ions from Contaminated Water

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Abstract

Nanoparticles of humic acid and iron oxide were impregnated on the inert sand to produce sorbent for treating groundwater contained of cadmium and copper ions by technology of permeable reactive barrier (PRB). Sewage sludge was the source of the humic acid to prepare the coated sand by humic acid—iron oxide (CSHAIO) sorbent; so, this work is consistent with sustainable development. For 10 mg/L metal concentration, batch tests at speed of 200 rpm signified that the removal efficiencies are greater than 90% at sorbent dosage 0.25 g/ 50 mL, pH 6 and contact time 1 h. The kinetic data was well described by the Pseudo first-order model indicating that physicosorption is the predominant mechanism. The maximum adsorption capacities (qmax) were calculated by Langmuir model and their values of 25.273 and 114.142 mg/g for cadmium and copper ions respectively. Computer solution (COMSOL) Multiphysics program has utilized to simulate the metal ions transport in the column tests. Model predictions as well as experimental measurements signified that increasing bed depth with decreasing of flow rate and inlet concentration leads to delay in the propagation of metal front.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to gratefully acknowledge the technical support of Environmental Engineering Department/University of Baghdad, Iraq during this work. The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the technical support for Laith A. Naji, Technical Instructors Training Institute, Middle Technical University, Baghdad, Iraq. One of the authors (A.A. Ghfar) acknowledges financial support from the Distinguished Scientist Fellowship Program (DSFP-2021), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq

    Ayad A. H. Faisal & Mohammed B. Abdul-Kareem

  2. Al-Khwarizmi College of Engineering, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq

    Alaa Kareem Mohammed

  3. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia

    Ayman A. Ghfar

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  1. Ayad A. H. Faisal
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  4. Ayman A. Ghfar
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Faisal, A.A.H., Abdul-Kareem, M.B., Mohammed, A.K. et al. Novel Sorbent of Sand Coated with Humic Acid-Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Elimination of Copper and Cadmium Ions from Contaminated Water. J Polym Environ 29, 3618–3635 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-021-02132-3

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