Focusing on Eco-Friendly Adsorption Method: Removal of Endocrine-Disrupting <i>Cu</i>²⁺ Ions by Iron Shavings

Abstract

Today, the common problem of all countries of the world is the presence of different environmental pollutants in water, air, and soil environments. In particular, endocrine disruptors represent a broad group of pollutants. Copper, which is both in this group and among the heavy metals, reaches aquatic environments directly and indirectly from anthropogenic activities. The adsorption process is the most environmentally friendly, economical, and practical method of preventing pollution caused by these Cu2+ ions, and intensive studies have been carried out on this method in recent years. The main target in these studies is to prefer adsorbents that do not cause pollution after removal. In this study, iron shavings (FeS) were considered to be used as an adsorbent. Laboratory-scale batch analyses were performed in synthetic solution under constant stirring speed (150 rpm) and temperature (20 ± 2 °C) with different pHs (2.0–6.0), FeS doses (0.1–5 g), and contact times (1–60 min). The maximum removal efficiency of Cu2+ was determined to be 78% under optimum operating conditions. The aim of this research article is to understand the application possibility of FeS adsorbent for the efficient removal of Cu2+. Interestingly, laboratory studies have shown that the use of FeS adsorbent can efficiently remove the endocrine-disrupting Cu2+.

Keywords

• adsorption
• adsorbent
• eco-friendly
• copper ions
• iron shavings