Multi-component sorption of Pb(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) onto low-cost mineral adsorbent.

Multi-component sorption studies were carried out for attenuation of divalent heavy metal cations (Pb2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+) by a low-cost mineral adsorbent from the aqueous solution. Kinetic and equilibrium batch-type sorption experiments were conducted under variable conditions for multi-component using low-grade (<12%P2O5) phosphate rock. Percentage of multiple heavy metal species removal increases with decreasing initial metals concentration and particle size. The equilibrium data were well described to a lesser extent by Freundlich model but Langmuir model seemed to be more appropriate with the fixation capacity obtained at room temperature for Pb2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ was 227.2, 769.2 and 666.6 micromol g(-1), respectively. Two simple kinetic models were tested to investigate the adsorption mechanism. Rate constants have been found nearly constant at all metal concentrations for first order. The comparison of adsorption capacity of low-grade phosphate rock decreases in multi-component system as compared to single component due to ionic interactions. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) technique was used to ascertain the formation of new metal phases followed by surface complexation. Used adsorbents have been converted into a value added product by utilizing innovative Zero-waste concept to solve the used adsorbents disposal problem and thus protecting the environment.

Modeling the sorption kinetics of divalent metal ions onto mineral adsorbent using integral method.

A mathematical model has been developed that could predict kinetic parameters for the adsorption of divalent cations (lead, copper and zinc) onto low-grade rock phosphate using experimental data. The experiments were conducted with the initial concentrations of metal ions ranging from 10 to 100 mg/L. The mathematical model is based on application of Freundlich isotherm to mass transfer across the film surrounding the adsorbent. A code in C programming is used to numerically integrate the model equation, and to obtain the best simulated values of Freundlich constants K, N, order of reaction n, and film transfer coefficient, alpha. It is observed that the adsorption of metal ions on rock phosphate is more sensitive to N,n, and alpha in comparison to K, and lead is adsorbed more favorably than copper and zinc.

Anticancer biology of Azadirachta indica L (neem): a mini review.

Neem (Azadirachta indica), a member of the Meliaceae family, is a fast growing tropical evergreen tree with a highly branched and stout, solid stem. Because of its tremendous therapeutic, domestic, agricultural and ethnomedicinal significance, and its proximity with human culture and civilization, neem has been called "the wonder tree" and "nature's drug store." All parts of this tree, particularly the leaves, bark, seed-oil and their purified products are widely used for treatment of cancer. Over 60 different types of biochemicals including terpenoids and steroids have been purified from this plant. Pre-clinical research work done during the last decade has fine-tuned our understanding of the anticancer properties of the crude and purified products from this plant. The anticancer properties of the plant have been studied largely in terms of its preventive, protective, tumor-suppressive, immunomodulatory and apoptotic effects against various types of cancer and their molecular mechanisms. This review aims at scanning scattered literature on "the anticancer biology of A. indica," related toxicity problems and future perspectives. The cogent data on the anticancer biology of products from A. indica deserve multi-institutional clinical trials as early as possible. The prospects of relatively cheaper cancer drugs could then be brighter, particularly for the under-privileged cancer patients of the world.

Sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) using red mud.

Red mud, an aluminium industry hazardous waste, has been reported to be an inexpensive and effective adsorbent. In the present work applicability of red mud for the sequestration of green house gases with reference to carbon dioxide has been studied. Red mud sample was separated into three different size fractions (RM I, RM II, RM III) of varying densities (1.5-2.2 g cm(-3)). Carbonation of each fraction of red mud was carried out separately at room temperature using a stainless steel reaction chamber at a fixed pressure of 3.5 bar. Effects of reaction time (0.5-12 h) and liquid to solid ratio (0.2-0.6) were studied for carbonation of red mud. Different instrumental techniques such as X-ray diffraction, FTIR and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to ascertain the different mineral phases before and after carbonation of each fraction of red mud. Characterization studies revealed the presence of boehmite, cancrinite, chantalite, hematite, gibbsite, anatase, rutile and quartz. Calcium bearing mineral phases (cancrinite and chantalite) were found responsible for carbonation of red mud. Maximum carbonation was observed for the fraction RM II having higher concentration of cancrinite. The carbonation capacity is evaluated to be 5.3 g of CO(2)/100 g of RM II.

Schorl: a novel catalyst in mineral-catalyzed Fenton-like system for dyeing wastewater discoloration.

Mineral-catalyzed Fenton-like system has been found to be effective for the discoloration of dyeing wastewater. In our present study, schorl has been successfully developed as a novel heterogeneous catalyst for discoloration of an active commercial dye, Argazol blue (BF-BR), in an aqueous solution. Through a number of batch discoloration experiments under various conditions, it was found that the reactivity of the system increased by, respectively, increasing schorl dosage, temperature, hydrogen peroxide starting concentration and by decreasing the pH. At the condition of pH 2, T=55 degrees C, [BF-BR](0)=200mg/L, [H(2)O(2)](0)=48.5 mmol/L and schorl dosage=10 g/L, 100% of discoloration ratio can be achieved in less than 4 min, and 72% of total organic carbon (TOC) can be removed in less than 200 min. The reaction kinetics analysis shows that the discoloration of BF-BR follows the first-order kinetics. The schorl samples after BF-BR discoloration was tested by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the results rule out the possibility of formation of new solid phases during BF-BR discoloration. The content of Fe ion leaching in the solution was also measured using inductively coupling plasma-atomic emission spectra (ICP-AES). A mechanism proposed herein indicates adsorption and Fenton-like reaction (heterogeneous and homogeneous) are responsible for the discoloration of BF-BR.

Attenuation of divalent toxic metal ions using natural sericitic pyrophyllite.

The present study investigated the effectiveness of an inexpensive and ecofriendly alumino silicate clay mineral, sericitic pyrophyllite, as an adsorbent for the possible application in the removal of some divalent toxic metal cations such as Pb(2+), Cu(2+)and Zn(2+) from aqueous systems. Batch scale equilibrium adsorption studies were carried out for a wide range of initial concentration from 24.1 to 2,410 micromol L(-1) for lead, 78.65 to 7,865 micromol L(-1) for copper and 76.45 to 7,645 micromol L(-1) for zinc solutions. The removal of Pb(2+) was almost complete at low concentration (maximum lead removal capacity, LRC, 32 mg of lead/g of pyrophyllite) with 10 g L(-1) of adsorbent in a 30 min equilibration time. The effects of temperature on adsorption of heavy metal ions were studied. The applicability of the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich adsorption models in each case of lead, copper and zinc adsorption was examined separately at different temperatures. The adsorption process was found to be endothermic and the Freundlich adsorption model was found to represent the data at different temperatures more suitably.