Engineered biosorbents of pomelo (Citrus maxima (Burm.f.) Merr) peels modified with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for methylene blue dye sorption.

The pomelo-doped zinc oxide beads (PZB), pomelo-doped titanium dioxide beads (PTB), and pomelo-doped zinc oxide and titanium dioxide beads (PZTB) were synthesized for sorbing methylene blue (MB) dye. Their characterizations were explored by X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and Focus Ion Beam (FESEM-FIB), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometer (EDX), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). In addition, their sorbent efficiencies for sorbing MB dye were investigated through batch experiments, sorbent reusability studies, sorption isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamic studies. They were crystalline phases presenting the specific peaks of zinc oxide (ZnO) or titanium dioxide (TiO2). Their surfaces had lamella structures with coarse surfaces, and they also found specific structures of ZnO or TiO2 on the surfaces. Zn-O or Ti-O-Ti was also detected in PZB or PTB or, PZTB depending upon metal oxide types added into pomelo beaded sorbents. For batch experiments, they could adsorb MB dye of more than 86%, and PZTB showed the highest MB dye removal efficiency. In addition, they could be reused for more than three cycles with high MB dye sorptions of more than 72%. They corresponded to Freundlich and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. Moreover, the increasing temperature affected their decreasing MB dye sorptions which were exothermic processes.

Cationic oxides and dioxides of modified sugarcane bagasse beads with applications as low-cost sorbents for direct red 28 dye.

The direct red 28 (DR28) dye contamination in wastewater blocks the transmission of light into the water body resulting in the inability to photosynthesize by aquatic life. In addition, it is difficult to break down and persist in the environment, and it is also harmful to aquatic life and water quality because of its aromatic structure. Thus, wastewater contaminated with dyes is required to treat before releasing into the water body. Sugarcane bagasse beads (SBB), sugarcane bagasse modified with titanium dioxide beads (SBBT), sugarcane bagasse modified with magnesium oxide beads (SBBM), sugarcane bagasse modified with aluminum oxide beads (SBBA), and sugarcane bagasse modified with zinc oxide beads (SBBZ) for DR28 dye removal in aqueous solution, and they were characterized with several techniques of BET, FESEM-FIB, EDX, FT-IR, and the point of zero charges (pHpzc). Their DR28 dye removal efficiencies were examined through batch tests, adsorption isotherms, and kinetics. SBBM had the highest specific surface area and pore volume, whereas its pore size was the smallest among other materials. The surfaces of SBB, SBBM, SBBT, and SBBA were scaly sheet surfaces with an irregular shape, whereas SBBZ was a coarse surface. Oxygen, carbon, calcium, chloride, sodium, O-H, C-H, C=O, C=C, and C-O-C were found in all materials. The pHpzc of SBB, SBBT, SBBM, SBBA, and SBBZ were 6.57, 7.31, 10.11, 7.25, and 7.77. All materials could adsorb DR28 dye at 50 mg/L by more than 81%, and SBBM had the highest DR28 dye removal efficiency of 94.27%. Langmuir model was an appropriate model for SBB, whereas Freundlich model was a suitable model for other materials. A pseudo-second-order kinetic model well described their adsorption mechanisms. Their adsorptions of the DR28 dye were endothermic and spontaneous. Therefore, they were potential materials for adsorbing DR28 dye, especially SBBM.

Synthesis, characterization, and lead removal efficiency of orange peel powder and orange peel powder doped iron (III) oxide-hydroxide.

Lead contamination in wastewater causes toxicity to aquatic life, the environment, and water quality, and it causes many human dysfunctions and diseases. Thus, it is necessary to remove lead from wastewater before discharging it into the environment. Orange peel powder (OP) and orange peel powder doped iron (III) oxide-hydroxide (OPF) were synthesized, characterized, and investigated lead removal efficiencies by batch experiments, adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and desorption experiments. The specific surface area of OP and OPF were 0.431 and 0.896 m2/g, and their pore sizes were 4.462 and 2.575 nm, respectively which OPF had a higher surface area than OP, whereas its pore size was smaller than OP. They were semi-crystalline structures that presented the specific cellulose peaks, and OPF also detected the specific iron (III) oxide-hydroxide peaks. The surface morphologies of OP and OPF were irregular and porous surfaces. Carbon (C), oxygen (O), calcium (Ca), O-H, C-H, C=C, C-O, C=O, and -COOH were observed in both materials. The pHpzc of OP and OPF were 3.74 and 4.46. For batch experiments, OPF demonstrated a higher lead removal efficiency than OP because of spending less on material dosage than OP, and OPF demonstrated high lead removal by more than 95% while OP could remove lead at only 67%. Thus, the addition of iron (III) oxide-hydroxide helped to increase material efficiency for lead adsorption. Both materials corresponded to the Freundlich model relating to physiochemical adsorption, and they also corresponded to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model relating to a chemisorption process. Moreover, both materials could be reusable for more than 5 cycles for lead adsorption of more than 55%. Therefore, OPF was potential material to apply for lead removals in industrial applications.

Influence of duck eggshell powder modifications by the calcination process or addition of iron (III) oxide-hydroxide on lead removal efficiency.

Lead-contaminated wastewater causes toxicity to aquatic life and water quality for water consumption, so it is required to treat wastewater to be below the water quality standard before releasing it into the environment. Duck eggshell powder (DP), duck eggshell powder mixed iron (III) oxide-hydroxide (DPF), calcinated duck eggshell powder (CDP), and calcinated duck eggshell powder mixed iron (III) oxide-hydroxide (CDPF) were synthesized, characterized, and investigated lead removal efficiencies by batch experiments, adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and desorption experiments. CDPF demonstrated the highest specific surface area and pore volume with the smallest pore size than other materials, and they were classified as mesoporous materials. DP and DPF demonstrated semi-crystalline structures with specific calcium carbonate peaks, whereas CDP and CDPF illustrated semi-crystalline structures with specific calcium oxide peaks. In addition, the specific iron (III) oxide-hydroxide peaks were detected in only DPF and CDPF. Their surface structures were rough with irregular shapes. All materials found carbon, oxygen, and calcium, whereas iron, sodium, and chloride were only found in DPF and CDPF. All materials were detected O-H, C=O, and C-O, and DPF and CDPF were also found Fe-O from adding iron (III) oxide-hydroxide. The point of zero charges of DP, DPF, CDP, and CDPF were 4.58, 5.31, 5.96, and 6.75. They could adsorb lead by more than 98%, and CDPF illustrated the highest lead removal efficiency. DP and CDP corresponded to the Langmuir model while DPF and CDPF corresponded to the Freundlich model. All materials corresponded to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Moreover, they could be reusable for more than 5 cycles for lead adsorption of more than 73%. Therefore, CDPF was a potential material to apply for lead removal in industrial applications.

Zeolite A powder and beads from sugarcane bagasse fly ash modified with iron(III) oxide-hydroxide for lead adsorption.

The discharging of lead-contaminated wastewater is a concern because of its toxicity to living organisms and water quality resulting in dangerous water consumption, so it is highly recommended to remove lead from wastewater to be below water quality standards for a safe environment. Zeolite A sugarcane bagasse fly ash powder (ZB), zeolite A sugarcane bagasse fly ash powder mixed iron(III) oxide-hydroxide (ZBF), zeolite A sugarcane bagasse fly ash beads (ZBB), zeolite A sugarcane bagasse fly ash powder mixed iron(III) oxide-hydroxide beads (ZBFB), and zeolite A sugarcane bagasse fly ash beads coated iron(III) oxide-hydroxide (ZBBF) were synthesized and characterized in various techniques. Their lead removal efficiencies were investigated by batch experiments, adsorption isotherms, and kinetics. The specific surface area, pore volume, and pore size of ZB were close values to zeolite A standard (STD), and ZBF had the highest specific surface area and the smallest pore size than others. ZB and ZBF demonstrated crystalline phases whereas ZBB, ZBFB, and ZBBF were amorphous phases. The surface morphology of ZB was a cubic shape similar to STD. ZBF demonstrated an agglomerated formation of ZB and iron(III) oxide-hydroxide whereas ZBFB and ZBBF had sphere shapes with coarse surfaces. Si, Al, O, Fe, Na, Ca, O-H, (Si, Al)-O, H2O, and D4R were detected in all materials. The surface charges of all zeolite A materials had negatively charged at all pH values, and their surfaces increased more negatively charged with increasing pH value which pH 5 illustrated as the highest negatively charged in all materials. Their lead removal efficiencies were higher than 82%. Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models were well explained for their adsorption patterns and mechanisms. Finally, ZBBF is a good offer for applying in industrial wastewater treatment systems because of its easy operation and saving costs than ZBF.

Powdered and beaded sawdust materials modified iron (III) oxide-hydroxide for adsorption of lead (II) ion and reactive blue 4 dye.

The problems of lead and reactive blue 4 (RB4) dye contamination in wastewater are concerns because of their toxicities to aquatic life and water quality, so lead and RB4 dye removals are recommended to remove from wastewater before discharging. Sawdust powder (SP), sawdust powder doped iron (III) oxide-hydroxide (SPF), sawdust beads (SPB), and sawdust powder doped iron (III) oxide-hydroxide beads (SPFB) were synthesized and characterized with various techniques, and their lead or RB4 dye removal efficiencies were investigated by batch experiments, adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and desorption experiments. SPFB demonstrated higher specific surface area (11.020 m2 g-1) and smaller pore size (3.937 nm) than other materials. SP and SPF were irregular shapes with heterogeneous structures whereas SPB and SPFB had spherical shapes with coarse surfaces. Calcium (Ca) and oxygen (O) were found in all materials whereas iron (Fe) was only found in SPF and SPFB. O-H, C-H, C=C, and C-O were detected in all materials. Their lead removal efficiencies of all materials were higher than 82%, and RB4 dye removal efficiencies of SPB and SPFB were higher than 87%. Therefore, adding iron (III) oxide-hydroxide and changing material form helped to improve material efficiencies for lead or RB4 dye adsorption. SP and SPB corresponded to Langmuir model related to a physical adsorption process whereas SPF and SPFB corresponded to the Freundlich model correlated to a chemisorption process. All materials corresponded to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model relating to the chemical adsorption process. All materials could be reused more than 5 cycles with high lead removal of 63%, and SPB and SPFB also could be reused more than 5 cycles for high RB4 dye removal of 72%. Therefore, SPFB was a potential material to apply for lead or RB4 dye removal in industrial applications.

Modification of sugarcane bagasse with iron(III) oxide-hydroxide to improve its adsorption property for removing lead(II) ions.

Lead contamination in wastewater results in toxicity of aquatic life and water quality, it is recommended to remove lead before discharging. Four sugarcane bagasse adsorbent materials of sugarcane bagasse powder (SB), sugarcane bagasse powder doped iron(III) oxide-hydroxide (SBF), sugarcane bagasse powder beads (SBB), and sugarcane bagasse powder doped iron(III) oxide-hydroxide beads (SBFB) were synthesized and characterized with various techniques. Their lead removal efficiencies were investigated by batch experiments on the effects of dose (0.1-0.6 g), contact time (1-6 h), pH (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11), and concentration (5-30 mg/L), adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and desorption experiments. All materials were amorphous phases presenting specific peaks of cellulose. SBB and SBFB detected sodium alginate peaks, and iron(III) oxide-hydroxide peaks were detected in SBF and SBFB. SB and SBF were scales or overlapping plate surfaces whereas SBB and SBFB had spherical shapes with coarse surfaces. The main functional groups of O-H, C=O, C-H, C-O, and C=C were observed in all materials, whereas Fe-O and -COOH were only found in materials with adding iron(III) oxide-hydroxide or bead material. The point of zero charges (pHpzc) of all materials was higher than 4. The optimum conditions of SB, SBF, SBB, and SBFB with the highest lead removal efficiency at a lead concentration of 10 mg/L and pH 5 were 0.6 g and 6 h (96.08%), 0.2 g and 3 h (100%), 0.2 g and 2 h (98.22%), and 0. 1 g and 2 h (100%), respectively. Since SBFB spent less adsorbent dose and contact time than other materials with a lead removal efficiency of 100%, it was a more potential adsorbent than other materials. Thus, adding iron(III) oxide-hydroxide and changing material form helped to improve material efficiencies for lead adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacities of SB, SBF, SBB, and SBFB were 6.161, 27.027, 23.697, and 57.471 mg/L, respectively by fitting the Langmuir model. Langmuir isotherm was best fitted for SB and SBB, whereas the Freundlich model was best fitted for SBF and SBFB. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model was best fitted for all materials. Moreover, all adsorbents could be reused for more than 5 cycles with the lead removal efficiency of more than 73%. Therefore, SBFB was potential material to further apply for lead removal in industrial applications.

Comparative antibacterial activities of Garcinia cowa and Piper sarmentosum extracts against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli with studying on disc diffusion assay, material characterizations, and batch experiments.

Using extracted plants is an attractive option because they consist of good chemical properties against different types of bacteria, and the idea of a form modification in beads may conveniently apply to the disinfection of wastewater systems. Garcinia cowa and Piper sarmentosum leaves were extracted for the synthesis of bead materials and studied material characterizations. A disc diffusion assay, batch experiments, adsorption isotherms, adsorption kinetics, and desorption experiments were studied for investigating the bacteria removal efficiencies of materials. G. cowa and P. sarmentosum leaves were prepared in powder (GCP and PSP), ethanol extracted (EGC and EPS), and synthesized bead materials (GCB and PSB). GCB had a higher surface area than PSB whereas the particle size and pore size were smaller than PSB. GCP and PSP had heterogeneous cracking surfaces whereas GCB and PSB had sphere-shaped and rough surfaces. Carbon (C), oxygen (O), calcium (Ca), and functional groups of O-H, C-H, N-H, C-O, and C-Cl were found in GCP, PSP, GCB, and PSB. Both extracted and beaded materials demonstrated high antibacterial activities on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by a disc diffusion assay, and GCB demonstrated high bacteria removals on both bacteria types by almost 100% by batch experiments. Freundlich isotherm and a pseudo-second-order kinetic model are good fit models for explaining the adsorption pattern and mechanism of GCB related to a physiochemical adsorption and chemisorption mechanism. Moreover, GCB could reuse more than 3 cycles, so it is possible to use GCB for disinfection in a wastewater treatment system.

Comparative Reactive Blue 4 Dye Removal by Lemon Peel Bead Doping with Iron(III) Oxide-Hydroxide and Zinc Oxide.

The increasing concern of dye contamination in wastewater results in the toxicity of aquatic life and water quality, so wastewater treatment is required to treat the low water quality standard for safety purposes. Lemon peel beads-doped iron(III) oxide-hydroxide (LBF) and lemon peel beads-doped zinc oxide (LBZ) were synthesized and characterized to investigate their crystalline structure, surface morphology, chemical compositions, chemical functional groups, and ζ potentials by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and focused ion beam, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, and zetasizer techniques. Their effects of dose, contact time, temperature, pH, and concentration for reactive blue 4 (RB4) dye removal efficiencies were investigated by batch experiments, and their adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and desorption experiments were also studied. LBF and LBZ demonstrated semicrystalline structures, and their surface morphologies had a spherical shape with coarse surfaces. Five main elements of carbon (C), oxygen (O), calcium (Ca), chlorine (Cl), and sodium (Na) and six main function groups of O-H, C≡N, C=C, C-OH, C-O-C, and C-H were detected in both materials. The results of ζ potential demonstrated that both LBF and LBZ had negative charges on the surface at all pH values, and their surfaces increased more of the negative charge with the addition of the pH value from 2-12. For batch tests, the RB4 dye removal efficiencies of LBF and LBZ were 83.55 and 66.64%, respectively, so LBF demonstrated a higher RB4 dye removal efficiency than LBZ. As a result, the addition of iron(III) oxide-hydroxide helped in improving the material efficiency more than zinc oxide. In addition, both LBF and LBZ could be reused in more than five cycles for RB4 dye removal of more than 41%. The Freundlich model was a good explanation for their adsorption patterns relating to physiochemical adsorption, and a pseudo-second-order kinetic model was a well-fitted model for explaining their adsorption mechanism correlating to the chemisorption process with heterogeneous adsorption. Therefore, LBF was a potential adsorbent to further apply for RB4 dye removal in industrial applications.

Synthesis of powdered and beaded chitosan materials modified with ZnO for removing lead (II) ions.

Lead contamination in wastewater may affect aquatic organisms, the environment, and human consumption because it is a highly toxic metal that caused human health effects. Thus, it is recommended to remove lead before releasing it into the environment. Powdered and beaded chitosan materials modified with ZnO were synthesized and investigated by various characterized techniques. Lead removal efficiencies of chitosan materials were studied by batch experiments, adsorption isotherms, and kinetics. Chitosan powder (CP), chitosan beads (CB), chitosan beads mixed ZnO (CZB), and chitosan beads coated ZnO (ZCB) were synthesized. CP represented a semi-crystalline structure while CB was an amorphous structure. CZB and ZCB were semi-crystalline structures with ZnO peaks. CP was a scaly-sheet and coarse surface while CB, CZB, and ZCB were sphere shapes with scaly-sheet surfaces. C, O, and N were the main chemical elements in chitosan materials, and Zn was detected in CZB and ZCB. O-H, N-H, and C-O were the main functional groups of chitosan materials. All chitosan materials had high lead removal efficiencies of more than 92%, and Freundlich and pseudo-second-order kinetic models well explained their adsorption patterns and mechanisms. Therefore, both adding metal oxide and changing material form are recommended for improving material efficiency, and ZCB was a good offer for further industrial applications.

Modified Beaded Materials from Recycled Wastes of Bagasse and Bagasse Fly Ash with Iron(III) Oxide-Hydroxide and Zinc Oxide for the Removal of Reactive Blue 4 Dye in Aqueous Solution.

Dye contamination in wastewater affects the photosynthesis of aquatic plants and algae by blocking the sunlight, and it induces toxicity to aquatic organisms, which might result in human health effects. Thus, the treatment of dyes in wastewater is required before discharging into the receiving water for safety purposes. Six dye adsorbent materials bagasse beads (BB), bagasse fly ash beads (BFB), bagasse beads with mixed iron(III) oxide-hydroxide (BBF), bagasse fly ash beads with mixed iron(III) oxide-hydroxide (BFBF), bagasse beads with mixed zinc oxide (BBZ), and bagasse fly ash beads with mixed zinc oxide (BFBZ) were synthesized and investigated using various characterization techniques such as X-ray diffractometry (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy with focused ion beam (FESEM-FIB), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A series of batch experiments on the effects of dosage (0.5-3 g), contact time (3-18 h), temperature (30-80°C), pH (3-11), and initial concentration (30-90 mg/L) were used to investigate reactive blue 4 (RB4) dye removal efficiencies in aqueous solution, and their adsorption isotherms and kinetics were studied for explaining their adsorption patterns and mechanisms. All dye adsorbent materials demonstrated semicrystalline structures, and their surface morphologies had a spherical shape with coarse surfaces. Five main elements of oxygen, carbon, calcium, chlorine, and sodium and six main functional groups of alcohol and carboxylic acid (O-H), carbon dioxide (O=C=O), aromatic groups (C=O and N=O), alkene (C-H), and sodium alginate (C-O-C) were detected in all dye adsorbent materials. For batch tests, they could remove RB4 dye by more than 90%, and BFBF exhibited the highest RB4 dye removal efficiency at 99.36%. Freundlich and pseudo-second-order kinetic models well explained their adsorption patterns and mechanisms, in which BFBF demonstrated a higher maximum adsorption capacity (q m) of 10.277 mg/g than that of other dye adsorbent materials. Therefore, all dye adsorbent materials offer good potential for further industrial applications.

Antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli of extracted Piper betle leaf materials by disc diffusion assay and batch experiments.

The use of contaminated water by bacteria may cause many diseases, and thus clean water is needed. Chlorine is normally used for the disinfection of wastewater treatment; however, it produces unwanted odors. Using extracted Piper betle (P. betle) is an interesting choice because it is a good chemical compound for bacterial inhibitions. This study attempted to extract P. betle leaf and synthesize P. betle beads (PBB) to characterize materials and investigate antibacterial efficiencies by disc diffusion assay, batch tests, adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and material reusability. The results demonstrated the successful extraction and synthesis of the materials of P. betle. P. betle powder (PBP) had porous and rough surfaces, whereas PBB had a spherical shape with a coarse surface. The four main chemical elements and functional groups of PBP and PBB were carbon, oxygen, calcium, chlorine, and O-H, C-H, N-H, C-O, respectively. The extraction yield and total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents of P. betle were 11.30%, 201.55 ± 0.31 mg GAE per g, 56.86 ± 0.14 mg RE per g, and 41.76 ± 1.32 mg CE per g, respectively. The six main compounds of eugenol, quercetin, apigenin, kaempferol, ascorbic acid, and hydroxychavicol were detected by HPLC analysis. The results of the disc diffusion assay confirmed antibacterial efficiencies of PBB, and the batch tests examined high antibacterial efficiencies of PBB for 100% on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The adsorption isotherms and kinetics of PBB corresponded to Freundlich model and pseudo-second order kinetic model, and the desorption experiments confirmed the reusability of PBB. Therefore, PBB can be possibly applied for an antibacterial purpose in wastewater treatment systems.

Comparative lead adsorptions in synthetic wastewater by synthesized zeolite A of recycled industrial wastes from sugar factory and power plant.

Increasing of industrializations causes of waste management problems, so use of industrial wastes for other purposes is an alternative option not only reducing industrial wastes but also providing benefit applications. Water contaminated by heavy metals is concerned because of their toxicity, so the water treatment is required. Sugar factory and power plant create big loads of wastes which are bagasse fly ash (BFA) and coal fly ash (CFA). Since BFA and CFA have good chemical properties, they are possible to apply as raw materials for synthesis of zeolite-type adsorbents. Thus, use of these industrial wastes for heavy metal adsorptions is a good idea to accomplish for the waste management and water quality. This study presented the modified method of zeolite A synthesis by BFA and CFA for lead removals, characteristic identifications of synthesized zeolite A adsorbents, their lead adsorption efficiencies, and their adsorption isotherm and kinetics were investigated. ZBG and ZCF were synthesized, and all analytic characterizations were determined that ZBG and ZCF corresponded to zeolite A standard (STD). ZBG and ZCF were demonstrated lead removal efficiencies of 100%. The highest negatively charged of ZBG and ZCF were found at pH of 5 matched to the highest lead removal efficiencies of both zeolite A adsorbents. Adsorption isotherms and kinetics of ZBG and ZCF were corresponded to Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Therefore, ZBG and ZCF are potential adsorbents for environmental applications along with reducing of industrial wastes.

Efficacy study of recycling materials by lemon peels as novel lead adsorbents with comparing of material form effects and possibility of continuous flow experiment.

Lead contamination in the industrial wastewater is a major concern because of human health effects, so wastewater treatment is required before uses. Adsorption is an effective method with a reasonable cost, and natural wastes are an interesting choice as low-cost adsorbent. Lemon peels were chosen with their proper chemical properties for lead removal. This study is aimed at synthesizing lemon peel adsorbents; analyzing adsorbent characterizations; investigating affecting factors on dose, contact time, pH, and concentration; examining adsorption isotherms and kinetics; and exploring desorption experiments and fixed-bed column experiments. This study was successful synthesized adsorbents of lemon peel powder (LP) and beads (LPB) and was characterized through XRD, FESEM-FIB, EDS, BET, and FTIR. The optimum conditions of LP and LPB of 50 mg L-1 lead concentration were 4 g, 6 h, and pH 5 and 3 g, 5 h, and pH 5, respectively. Both adsorbents were corresponded to Freundlich and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Fixed-bed column experiments which represented LPB had high lead removal efficiency with the adsorption capacity of 1.67 mg g-1, and it was also a good reusability more than 2 cycles. Therefore, LPB is a potential adsorbent to possibly apply for wastewater treatment.

Modified Alginate Beads with Ethanol Extraction of Cratoxylum formosum and Polygonum odoratum for Antibacterial Activities.

Bacteria contaminations in water are concerned as environmental effects including human health, so water treatment is required before use. Although using extracted plant is interesting because of their good chemical compounds for bacterial inhibitions, no study has applied the extracted plant in bead materials for disinfection in wastewater. The current research attempted to extract Cratoxylum formosum and Polygonum odoratum for the synthesis of C. formosum beads (CFB) and P. odoratum beads (POB), and their antibacterial efficiencies were investigated by agar diffusion tests, antibacterial batch tests, adsorption isotherm and kinetics, and material reusability. C. formosum and P. odoratum leaves were ethanol-extracted, and their bead materials (CFB and POB) were synthesized. Furthermore, their characterizations of surface area, chemical compositions, and chemical functional groups were investigated. For field emission scanning electron microscopy and focused ion beam (FESEM-FIB) analysis, CFB and POB had spherical shapes with coarse surfaces. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) analysis of CFB and POB illustrated five main chemical compositions, which were carbon (C), oxygen (O), calcium (Ca), chlorine (Cl), and sodium (Na), whereas Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis identified seven main chemical functional groups, which were O-H, C-H, C=O, C=C, N-H, C-O, and C-Cl. Agar diffusion tests confirmed the abilities of CFB and POB to inhibit both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and batch experiments examined high antibacterial efficiencies of CFB of almost 100% on both bacterial types. The adsorption isotherm of CFB corresponded to the Freundlich model, which is related to the physiochemical adsorption process with multilayer or heterogeneous adsorption, and the adsorption kinetics of CFB was correlated to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, which involved chemisorption relating to physiochemical interaction. Moreover, the desorption experiment confirmed the reusability of CFB. Therefore, CFB is a potential material to possibly apply for disinfection of wastewater.

Source Apportionment of Atmospheric Polychlorinated Biphenyls in New Jersey 1997-2011.

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Delaware River currently exceed the Water Quality Criteria of 16 pg/L for the sum of PCBs due in part to atmospheric deposition. The purpose of this work was to use a source apportionment tool called Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) to identify the sources of PCBs to the atmosphere in this area and determine whether their concentrations are declining over time. The data set was compiled by the Delaware Atmospheric Deposition Network (DADN) from samples taken in Camden, NJ from 1999 to 2011 and New Brunswick, NJ from 1997 to 2011. The PMF analysis revealed four resolved factors at each site. The factors that dominate the PCB burden in the atmosphere at both Camden and New Brunswick resemble Aroclor 1242. These factors declined in concentration during some portions of the monitoring period, but this decline slowed or stopped during 2003-2011. None of the factors displayed consistent declines in concentration throughout the monitoring periods, and some factors actually increased in concentration during some periods. This suggests natural attenuation alone will not control atmospheric PCB concentrations, and additional efforts are needed to control PCB atmospheric emissions as well as the numerous other sources of PCBs to the estuary.

Source apportionment of polychlorinated biphenyls in the sediments of the Delaware River.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic, persistent, bioaccumulative compounds that threaten water quality in many areas, including the Delaware River. In 2003, total maximum daily loads for PCBs were promulgated for the tidal portion of the river, requiring the collection of a massive and unprecedented data set on PCBs in an urban estuary using state of the art, high-resolution high mass spectrometry (EPA method 1668 revision A). In previous publications, this data set has been examined using positive matrix factorization (PMF) to apportion PCB sources in the air, water, and permitted discharges to the river. Here, the same technique is used to apportion PCB sources in the sediment. This holistic approach allows the comparison of source types and magnitudes to the air, water, and sediment, and allows conclusions to be drawn about the cycling of PCBs in a typical urbanized estuary. A data set containing 87 chromatographic peaks representing 132 PCB congeners in 81 samples and 6 duplicated samples was analyzed. Seven factors were resolved. Three represent relatively unweathered Aroclors. Two were related to the non-Aroclor sources of diarylide yellow pigments and titanium tetrachloride production. The two remaining factors were probably originally related to Aroclors, but they are so highly weathered as to be unrecognizable as Aroclors, and thus have probably resided in the river for a long time. Comparing the abundance of the resolved PCB factors in the air, water, discharges, and sediment demonstrates that high molecular weight formulations, such as Aroclor 1260 and PCBs 206, 208, and 209 produced during titanium tetrachloride synthesis accumulate preferentially in the sediment, in keeping with their greater hydrophobicity. In contrast, lower molecular weight formulations, including the products of PCB dechlorination occurring in sewers, do not accumulate appreciably. PCB 11 from pigment use does accumulate in sediments and also seems to be distributed throughout the estuary via the atmosphere.