Journal article
The complexity of biosorption treatments for oxyanions in a multi-element mine effluent
Journal of Environmental Management, Vol.151, pp.386-392
2015
Abstract
Selenium (Se) is a contaminant in effluents from coal mines and coal-fired power stations, where it is encountered as the oxyanion selenate (SeO4 2-, hereafter SeVI). SeVI can be removed from solution with Fe-treated biosorbents, but the efficacy of these treatments in effluents with multiple contaminants is unclear. This study investigates the interactions between SeVI and the oxyanions SO4 2- and NO3 -. We produce a sustainable biosorbent, Gracilaria Modified Biochar (GMB), by treating a waste product generated after the commercial extraction of agar from cultivated seaweeds with ferric chloride (FeCl3) and converting it to biochar through pyrolysis. We then test interactions between SeVI and competing oxyanions in mock solutions and a real-world mine effluent with high concentrations of SO4 2- and NO3 -. GMB immediately removed 98% of the SeVI from the mock solution, but only 3% from the mine effluent with the same initial SeVI concentration. Notably, 83-89% of the SeVI was removed by GMB when concentrations of SeVI and SO4 2- were less than or equimolar in mock solutions. Higher concentrations of SO4 2- reduced the uptake of SeVI. There was no interference from NO3 - on the biosorption of SeVI. GMB is a successful biosorbent for SeVI, however, high concentrations of SO4 2- will compromise the biosorption of SeVI. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.
Details
- Title
- The complexity of biosorption treatments for oxyanions in a multi-element mine effluent
- Authors
- C L Johansson (Author) - James Cook UniversityNicholas A Paul (Author) - James Cook UniversityR de Nys (Author) - James Cook UniversityD A Roberts (Author) - James Cook University
- Publication details
- Journal of Environmental Management, Vol.151, pp.386-392
- Publisher
- Academic Press
- Date published
- 2015
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.11.031
- ISSN
- 0301-4797
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450476902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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