Camila C. Amorim

Iron: a versatile element to produce materials for environmental applications

Iron is a versatile element forming several phases with different oxidation states and structures, such as Feo, FeO, Fe3O4, γ-Fe2O3, α-Fe2O3 and FeOOH. All these phases have unique physicochemical properties which can be used for different applications. In this work, it is described the use of different iron compounds, synthetic and also from natural and waste sources, in environmental and technological applications. Two main research areas are described. The first one is related to strategies to increase the reactivity of Fe phases, mainly by the formation of Feo/iron oxide composites and by the introduction of new metals in the iron oxide structure to promote new surface reactions. The second area is the use of the magnetic properties of some iron phases to produce versatile magnetic materials with focus in adsorption, catalysis and emulsions.

Solar energy for wastewater treatment: review of international technologies and their applicability in Brazil

Several studies have reported the adverse effects of recalcitrant compounds and emerging contaminants present in industrial effluents, which are not degradable by ordinary biological treatment. Many of these compounds are likely to accumulate in living organisms through the lipid layer. At concentrations above the limits of biological tolerance, these compounds can be harmful to the ecosystem and may even reach humans through food chain biomagnification. In this regard, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) represent an effective alternative for the removal of the pollutants. This study focused on the AOP involving the use of ultraviolet radiation in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. Based on the literature review, comparisons between natural and artificial light were established, approaching photoreactors constructive and operational characteristics. We concluded that the high availability of solar power in Brazil would make the implementation of the AOP using natural solar radiation for the decontamination of effluents feasible, thereby contributing to clean production and biodiversity conservation. This will serve as an important tool for the enforcement of environmental responsibility among public and private institutions.

Textile wastewater reuse after additional treatment by Fenton’s reagent

AbstractThis study verifies textile wastewater reuse treated by the conventional activated sludge process and subjected to further treatment by advanced oxidation processes. Three alternative processes are discussed: Fenton, photo-Fenton, and UV/H2O2. Evaluation of treatments effects was based on factorial experiment design in which the response variables were the maximum removal of COD and the minimum concentration of residual H2O2 in treated wastewater. Results indicated Fenton’s reagent, COD/[H2O2]/[Fe2+] mass ratio of 1:2:2, as the best alternative. The selected technique was applied to real wastewater collected from a conventional treatment plant of a textile mill. The quality of the wastewater before and after the additional treatment was monitored in terms of 16 physicochemical parameters defined as suitable for the characterization of waters subjected to industrial textile use. The degradation of the wastewater was also evaluated by determining the distribution of its molecular weight along with the organic matter fractionation by ultrafiltration, measured in terms of COD. Finally, a sample of the wastewater after additional treatment was tested for reuse at pilot scale in order to evaluate the impact on the quality of dyed fabrics. Results show partial compliance of treated wastewater with the physicochemical quality guidelines for reuse. Removal and conversion of high and medium molecular weight substances into low molecular weight substances was observed, as well as the degradation of most of the organic matter originally present in the wastewater. Reuse tests indicated positive results, confirming the applicability of wastewater reuse after the suggested additional treatment. Graphical abstractTextile wastewater samples after additional treatment by Fenton’s reagent, photo-Fenton and H2O2/UV tested in different conditions

Comparação entre diferentes processos oxidativos avançados para degradação de corante azo

This study aimed at comparing various advanced oxidation processes (H2O2, UV, UV/H2O2, Fe2+/H2O2, UV/Fe2+/H2O2) for textile dye Reactive Red 195 decolorization. The use of blast furnace dust (BFD) was also investigated as an alternative source of iron in catalytic peroxidation with and without UV radiation. The effects of H2O2 and dye concentrations in kinetics of decolorization were studied. Decolorization reactions follow pseudo-first order kinetics. The results indicated greater efficiency of decolorization in the photo-Fenton system with the use of BFD; however, the use of BFD in the Fenton system without irradiation reached the same efficiency with a reaction time only 15 minutes superior. The use of blast furnace dust increased considerably the rates of reactions and is very promising as a source of iron.

Removal of ethylenthiourea and 1,2,4-triazole pesticide metabolites from water by adsorption in commercial activated carbons

This study evaluated the adsorption capacity of ethylenthiourea (ETU) and 1H-1,2,4-triazole (1,2,4-T) for two commercial activated carbons: charcoal-powdered activated carbon (CPAC) and bovine bone-powdered activated carbon (BPAC). The tests were conducted at a bench scale, with ETU and 1,2,4-T diluted in water, for isotherm and adsorption kinetic studies. The removal of the compounds was accompanied by a total organic carbon (TOC) analysis and ultraviolet (UV) reduction analysis. The coals were characterized by their surface area using nitrogen adsorption/desorption, by a scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and by a zero charge point analysis (pHpcz). The results showed that adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order model for both coals, and the adsorption isotherms for CPAC and BPAC were adjusted to the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, respectively. The CPAC removed approximately 77% of the ETU and 76% of the 1,2,4-T. The BPAC was ineffective at removing the contaminants.

Degradation of ethylenethiourea pesticide metabolite from water by photocatalytic processes

In this study, photocatalytic (photo-Fenton and H2O2/UV) and dark Fenton processes were used to remove ethylenethiourea (ETU) from water. The experiments were conducted in a photo-reactor with an 80 W mercury vapor lamp. The mineralization of ETU was determined by total organic carbon analysis, and ETU degradation was qualitatively monitored by the reduction of UV absorbance at 232 nm. A higher mineralization efficiency was obtained by using the photo-peroxidation process (UV/H2O2). Approximately 77% of ETU was mineralized within 120 min of the reaction using [H2O2]0 = 400 mg L−1. The photo-Fenton process mineralized 70% of the ETU with [H2O2]0 = 800 mg L−1 and [Fe2+] = 400 mg L−1, and there is evidence that hydrogen peroxide was the limiting reagent in the reaction because it was rapidly consumed. Moreover, increasing the concentration of H2O2 from 800 mg L−1 to 1200 mg L−1 did not enhance the degradation of ETU. Kinetics studies revealed that the pseudo-second-order model best fit the experimental conditions. The k values for the UV/H2O2 and photo-Fenton processes were determined to be 6.2 × 10−4 mg L−1 min−1 and 7.7 × 10−4 mg L−1 min−1, respectively. The mineralization of ETU in the absence of hydrogen peroxide has led to the conclusion that ETU transformation products are susceptible to photolysis by UV light. These are promising results for further research. The processes that were investigated can be used to remove pesticide metabolites from drinking water sources and wastewater in developing countries.

Use of tar pitch as a binding and reductant of BFD waste to produce reactive materials for environmental applications

In this work, a new approach is presented for the modification of the hazardous steel industry waste BFD (Blast Furnace Dust) into a versatile material for application in environmental remediation processes. Tar pitch, another waste, was used to agglomerate the very fine (submicrometric) dust particles to produce a compact and robust pelletized material that under simple thermal treatment produces notably reactive reduced Fe phases. SEM, TG/DTA, Mössbauer, XRD, Raman, BET and elemental analyses indicated that the tar/BFD composite (1:1wt ratio) pellets treated at 400, 600 and 800°C lead to tar decomposition to form a carbon binding coat concomitant with the reduction of the Fe oxides to produce primarily Fe3O4 (magnetite), FeO (wüstite) and Fe(0). Preliminary reactivity studies indicated that these treated composites, especially at 800°C, are active for the reduction of Cr(VI)aq and for the elimination of textile dye via reduction and the Fenton reaction.

Ozone oxidation of β-lactam antibiotic molecules and toxicity decrease in aqueous solution and industrial wastewaters heavily contaminated

ABSTRACT In this work, ozone oxidation of the antibiotics amoxicillin (AMX), cephalexin, and ceftriaxone was investigated in different samples: (i) aqueous solutions (100 mg L−1), (ii) an industrial wastewater containing AMX at 125 mg L−1 (chemical oxygen demand 6000 mg O2 L−1), and (iii) a heavily contaminated industrial wastewater containing the antibiotics at a total concentration of 320 mg L−1. High performance liquid chromatography, molecular absorption spectrophotometry in the ultraviolet/visible region, and total organic carbon measurements showed that ozonation of antibiotics solutions led to removal higher than 95% with 10–20% mineralization. Industrial wastewater also showed very good efficiency for antibiotic removal (80–98%) after ozonation. Moreover, Microtox® test showed 86% toxicity reduction for the industrial wastewater.

Feasibility study of the use of basic oxygen furnace sludge in a permeable reactive barrier

In this study, the steel manufacturing waste Basic Oxygen Furnace Sludge (BOFS) was tested as permeable reactive material for the remediation of soil contaminated with chromium. The material presents a high content of elemental iron and iron oxides typical of the steel manufacturing process. Here we propose a scheme of the chemical reactions responsible for remediation process including BOFS dissolution, Cr(VI) reduction and Cr(III) precipitation. Batch reactors showed that Cr(VI) removal increases as the pH decreases. Column tests demonstrated that the simulated PRB with BOFS as the reactive media was quite effective for removing Cr(VI) from groundwater, with a sorption capability of 0.213 mg Cr per gram of BOFS at an initial Cr(VI) concentration of 50 mg L-1 at pH 5.5. A long-term test lasting 71 days confirmed the proposed mechanisms and the suitability of using BOFS in a permeable reactive barrier.

Development of Fe/Nb-based solar photocatalysts for water treatment: impact of different synthesis routes on materials properties

AbstractSemiconductors based on Fe/Nb oxides can present both solar sensitivity and high catalytic activity. However, there is still a lack regarding the comparison between different routes to produce Fe/Nb-based solar photocatalysts and the evaluation of the impact of the synthesis operating conditions on the material properties. In this work, Fe/Nb2O5 ratio, type of precipitating agent, presence/absence of washing stage, and temperature of calcination were verified to be the most relevant parameters in the synthesis by the co-precipitation method. These factors led to remarkable differences in the properties and performance of the photocatalysts produced by each distinct synthesis route. Composition, iron species present in the materials, crystallinity characteristics, and pH of the catalysts were affected, leading to different photocatalytic activities under UV-Vis light. Due to their characteristics, the synthesized materials are potential photocatalysts for application in solar processes. Graphical abstractᅟ