Potassium adsorption in soil cultivated with sugarcane

ABSTRACT Vinasse is a byproduct of the process of distillation of sugarcane juice for the manufacture of sugar and alcohol. Because it is rich in nutrients, mainly potassium (K), is used as fertilizer and applied via fertigation, without concerning for the fate of this compound in the soil. Thus, the objective of the study was to evaluate the interactions of the potassium ion (K+), applied via vinasse in a soil representative of the sugarcane zone of the State of Pernambuco using adsorption isotherms. The methodology was based on physical, chemical and soil mineralogical characterization, as well as equilibrium batch tests, where the experimental curves were fitted by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The results allowed to infer that the Freundlich model showed better fit of the curve in both forms: linear and non-linear (direct fit); the non-linear model was selected due to the values ​​of coefficient of determination (R²). The interaction between potassium and soil occurred mainly with organic matter and the presence of soil kaolinite, because they showed negative ions on the external surface, thereby promoting potassium adsorption. Soil potassium adsorption capacity was higher for the first layer (0-20 cm) and decreased along the depth profile.

ADSORCIÓN DE PLOMO (II) EN SOLUCIÓN ACUOSA CON TALLOS Y HOJAS DE Eichhornia crassipes / ADSORPTION OF LEAD (II) WITH STEMS AND LEAVES OF Eichhornia crassipes IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

La presencia de metales pesados, como el plomo (Pb+2), en los cuerpos de agua genera alteraciones sobre la calidad ambiental y la salud pública, debido a su solubilidad y su capacidad de acumulación en la cadena trófica, problemática que se puede incrementar por la acumulación de Eichhornia crassipes, una maleza acuática con alta capacidad invasora, cuya presencia en los ecosistemas acuáticos favorece los procesos de eutrofización y crecimiento de microorganismos patógenos, vectores de enfermedades. Como alternativa para la eliminación de metales pesados y el aprovechamiento de tallos TEC y hojas HEC de E. crassipes, se evaluó la capacidad de adsorción y de eficiencia de remoción de Pb+2 en solución acuosa, de dicha biomasa. Inicialmente, se realizaron ensayos batch, para analizar la influencia de la dosis de adsorbente, tiempo de contacto y pH de la solución. Como método de disposición final, se analizó la calcinación, a temperaturas de 700 y 800°C. Los datos experimentales de equilibrio fueron correlacionados, utilizando los modelos de Langmuir y Freundlich. El modelo que mejor se ajustó fue el de Langmuir, con R² = 0,9816 TEC y R² = 0,9854 HEC, lográndose una máxima capacidad de adsorción de 172,41mg/g TEC y 131,58mg/g HEC, con 0,2g de biomasa/200mL, pH 5,5 y 3h de contacto. En todos los ensayos, se lograron remociones de Pb+2 superiores al 97%. Los ensayos de calcinación indican que, a temperaturas ≥800°C, es posible estabilizar la biomasa residual, impidiendo que los cationes metálicos removidos sean liberados de la matriz biológica, por efectos de soluciones lixiviantes de bajo pH.

The presence of heavy metals such as lead (Pb+2) in water bodies causes alterations in environmental quality and public health due to their solubility and capacity of accumulation in the food chain. Problems that can be increased by the accumulation of Eichhornia crassipes an aquatic weed with high invasive capacity whose presence in the aquatic ecosystems favors the processes of eutrophication and growth of pathogenic microorganisms vectors of diseases. As an alternative for the removal of heavy metals and the use of TEC stems and HEC leaves of E. crassipes, the adsorption capacity and removal efficiency of Pb+2 in aqueous solution of this biomass were evaluated. Initially batch tests were performed to analyze the influence of the adsorbent dose, contact time and solution pH. As final disposal method, the calcination was analyzed at temperatures of 700 and 800°C. The equilibrium experimental data were correlated using the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The best fit model was the Langmuir model with R²=0.9816 TEC and R²=0.9854 HEC, achieving a maximum adsorption capacity of 172.41mg/g TEC and 131.58mg/g HEC with 0.2 g Of biomass/200mL, pH 5.5 and 3h of contact. Pb+2 removals above 97% were achieved in all tests. Calcination tests indicate that at temperatures ≥800°C it is possible to stabilize the residual biomass by preventing the removed metal cations from being released from the biological matrix by the effects of low pH leaching solutions.

Panus tigrinus as a potential biomass source for Reactive Blue decolorization: isotherm and kinetic study

Background: Textile and dye industries pose a serious threat to the environment. Conventional methods used for dye treatment are generally not always effective and environmentally friendly. This drove attention of scores of researchers to investigate alternative methods for the biodegradation of dyes using fungal strains. In this work, white-rot fungus (Panus tigrinus) was used as a biosorbent for the decolorization of Reactive Blue 19. The process parameters that were varied were initial concentration (50­150 mg/L), contact time (30­90 min), and pH (2­6). In addition, to gain important data for the evaluation of a sorption process, the equilibrium and kinetics of the process were determined. Results: White-rot fungus showed great potential in decolorizing Azo dyes. The strain showed the maximum decolorization of 83.18% at pH 2, a contact time of 90 min, and an initial concentration of 50 mg/L. The Langmuir isotherm described the uptake of the Reactive Blue 19 dye better than the Freundlich isotherm. Analysis of the kinetic data showed that the dye uptake process followed the pseudo second-order rate expression. Conclusion: The biosorption process provided vital information on the process parameters required to obtain the optimum level of dye removal. The isotherm study indicated the homogeneous distribution of active sites on the biomass surface, and the kinetic study suggested that chemisorption is the rate-limiting step that controlled the biosorption process. According to the obtained results, P. tigrinus biomass can be used effectively to decolorize textile dyes and tackle the pollution problems in the environment.