S. G. Lemos

Coconut coir as biosorbent for Cr(VI) removal from laboratory wastewater

A high cost-effective treatment of sulphochromic waste is proposed employing a raw coconut coir as biosorbent for Cr(VI) removal. The ideal pH and sorption kinetic, sorption capacities, and sorption sites were the studied biosorbent parameters. After testing five different isotherm models with standard solutions, Redlich-Peterson and Toth best fitted the experimental data, obtaining a theoretical Cr(VI) sorption capacity (SC) of 6.3 mg g(-1). Acid-base potentiometric titration indicated around of 73% of sorption sites were from phenolic compounds, probably lignin. Differences between sorption sites in the coconut coir before and after Cr adsorption identified from Fourier transform infrared spectra suggested a modification of sorption sites after sulphochromic waste treatment, indicating that the sorption mechanism involves organic matter oxidation and chromium uptake. For sulphocromic waste treatment, the SC was improved to 26.8+/-0.2 mg g(-1), and no adsorbed Cr(VI) was reduced, remaining only Cr(III) in the final solution. The adsorbed material was calcinated to obtain Cr(2)O(3,) with a reduction of more than 60% of the original mass.

DECOMPOSIÇÃO DE AMOSTRAS DE SOLOS ASSISTIDA POR RADIAÇÃO MICROONDAS: ESTRATÉGIA PARA EVITAR A FORMAÇÃO DE FLUORETOS INSOLÚVEIS

The use of pre-mixed nitric and hydrofluoric acids for the decomposition of samples containing high amounts of Si can cause the precipitation of Al(III), Ca(II), Fe(III), and Mg(II) fluorides during digestion, reducing the total recovery of these elements. Four procedures were applied to certified soil samples in an attempt to circumvent this problem. The most efficient procedure was based on microwave-assisted acid digestion decomposition of the samples, followed by separation of the residual silicate compounds. This fraction was solubilized using concentrated HF and the remaining fluoride ions were complexed by adding boric acid. This solution was mixed with the liquid phase of the acid digest. Elemental analysis of the acid digests was performed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The accuracy of the procedure was confirmed by applying it to samples provided by the International Soil-Analytical Exchange (ISE- Wageningen Agricultural University, Netherlands) and to certified soil reference material from the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST, SRM 2709). The following elemental recovery (%) was obtained: 100.0xa0±xa02.6; 99.5xa0±xa01.9; 108.5xa0±xa02.7; 94.6xa0±xa08.9; 92.2xa0±xa09.7; 95.7xa0±xa01.8; 96.7xa0±xa02.7; 95.2xa0±xa00.6; 103.6xa0±xa02.6 and 96.1xa0±xa01.6 for Al, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, V, and Zn, respectively.

Nickel sorption capacity of ground xylem of Quercus ilex trees and effects of selected ligands present in the xylem sap.

In this work the influence of four different ligands present in the xylem sap of Quercus ilex (histidine, citric, oxalic and aspartic acids) on Ni(II) adsorption by xylem was investigated. Grinded xylem was trapped in acrylic columns and solutions of Ni(II), in the absence and presence of the four ligands prepared in KNO(3) 0.1molL(-1) at pH 5.5, were percolated through the column. Aliquots of solutions were recovered in the column end for Ni determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The experimental data to describe Ni sorption by xylem in both the presence and absence of ligands was better explained by the Freundlich isotherm model. The decreasing affinity order of ligands for Ni was: oxalic acid>citric acid>histidine>aspartic acid. On the other hand, the Ni(II) adsorption by xylem increased following the inverse sequence of ligands. Potentiometric titrations of acidic groups were carried out to elucidate the sorption site groups available in Q. ilex xylem. The potentiometric titration has shown three sorption sites: pK(a) 2.6 (57.7% of the sorption sites), related to monobasic aliphatic carboxylic acids or nitrogen aromatic bases, pK(a) 8.1 (9.6%) and pK(a) 9.9 (32.7%), related to phenolic groups.

In Situ Soil Phosphorus Monitoring Probe Compared with Conventional Extraction Procedures

In this work, selective chemical sensors of phosphorus (PO4 3−) installed in PVC probes and their associated instrumentation were evaluated in soil solution phosphorous monitoring. The evaluation was carried out with the addition of a 0.1 mol L−1 P‐PO4 3− solution in the soil, followed by data acquisition supplied by the probes; by collecting soil samples in the region where the probes were installed; and by phosphorus determination through conventional laboratory techniques. The phosphorus amounts were determined by spectrophotometry after the following extraction methodologies: Mehlich 1, Mehlich 3, and ionic exchange resin. The results, compared with the potentials registered by the probes, express the best correlation with the results obtained with the resin method. The results indicate good response of the sensors and the potential applicability of these probes to assist in the monitoring of soil nutrients, helping to establish rational processes in the use of fertilizers in crops.