Removal of paracetamol from aqueous solution by containment composites

Abstract

Storage of wastes leads to severe problems of water pollution and neighboring matrices due to the infiltration of landfill leachate. Uncontrolled landfill and waste storage can lead to groundwater pollution, which can lead to serious health problems for the living. Engineered barriers can be a solution to these pollution problems. The purpose of this study was to develop novel composite materials – clay-based, activated carbon, cement, and PVA polymer. These composites were intended for the containment of waste in landfill. The clay (70–80%) and activated carbon (5–15%) contents were varied to obtain three different geomaterials – GM1, GM2, and GM3. In the preparation of GM3, the content of activated carbon used was higher than for GM1 and GM2, paracetamol removal capacity tested by adsorption, experiments were influenced by parameters such as the adsorbent mass, the initial solute concentration, contact time, temperature, and pH effect. The parameter of initial paracetamol concentrations was studied using a range of 50, 100, and 150 mg L−1. For a GM3 mass of 80 mg, the adsorbed amount is 14.67 mg g−1, and the contact time is 180 minutes. This study revealed that composites are efficient for the treatment of landfill leachates.

Keywords

• geomaterials
• activated carbon
• clay
• adsorption
• wastes
• landfill