Sludge-Based Superparamagnetic Nano-Sorbent Functionalized by Lanthanum Silicate Nanorods for Phosphorus Adsorption and Fertilization
Qian Zhao,
Xiaole Wang,
Juan Ren,
Wei Wang,
Jingtao Xu,
Shujuan Meng,
Jiarou Jin,
Xiaochen Li,
Yuyang Fu,
Kechao Han,
Ruimin Mu,
Xinyi Li,
Renbo Zhao,
Hongbo Wang,
Feiyong Chen
Affiliations
Qian Zhao
Institute of Resources and Environmental Innovation, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China
Xiaole Wang
Institute of Resources and Environmental Innovation, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China
Juan Ren
Jinan Urban Planning and Design Institute, Jinan 250001, China
Wei Wang
Shandong Institute of Geological Sciences, Jinan 250013, China
Jingtao Xu
Institute of Resources and Environmental Innovation, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China
Shujuan Meng
School of Space and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
Jiarou Jin
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
Xiaochen Li
Institute of Resources and Environmental Innovation, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China
Yuyang Fu
School of Water Conservation and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, China
Kechao Han
Jinan Engineering Consulting Institute, Jinan 250002, China
Ruimin Mu
Institute of Resources and Environmental Innovation, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China
Xinyi Li
Institute of Resources and Environmental Innovation, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China
Renbo Zhao
Institute of Resources and Environmental Innovation, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China
Hongbo Wang
Institute of Resources and Environmental Innovation, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China
Feiyong Chen
Institute of Resources and Environmental Innovation, School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China
Phosphorus (P) recovery from wastewater is considered to be a positive human intervention towards sustainable P use in the global P cycle. This study investigated the feasibility of synthesizing a superparamagnetic nano-sorbent that was functionalized by lanthanum silicate nanorods (NRLa-Si) using drinking water treatment sludge (DWTS), evaluating both its P adsorption capacity and fertilization effect. The DWTS-based La-modified P nano-sorbent (P-sorbent D) exhibited complicated but single-layer-dominant adsorption for phosphate, with a maximum adsorption capacity up to 26.8 mg/g, which was superior to that of most of the similar sludge-based P-sorbent. The NRLa-Si-modified P-sorbent D was identified with several characterization techniques and the leaching metal elements from the nano-sorbent were tested, which were below the limits proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. In addition, the growth and vigorousness of Arabidopsis thaliana indicated that the exhausted P-sorbent D could be used as a potential water-soluble moderate-release P fertilizer, which was also confirmed by the well-fitted P uptake model and the P desorption pattern from the sorbent–fertilizer. The doped lanthanum silicate nanorods could play the dual role of P complexation enhancement and health/growth promotion. In light of this, this study proposed a new way of reclaiming DWTS as a P-sorbent for fertilization, offering new insights into the path toward “closing the P loop”.
