Hydroxyapatite-Based Adsorbent Materials from Aquaculture Waste for Remediation of Metal-Contaminated Waters: Investigation of Cadmium Removal

Adsorption represents an effective strategy for water remediation applications, particularly when utilising eco-friendly materials in a circular economy framework. This approach offers significant advantages, including low cost, material availability, ease of operation, and high efficiency. Herein,...

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Main Authors: Mirco Cescon, Francesco Chiefa, Tatiana Chenet, Maura Mancinelli, Claudia Stevanin, Annalisa Martucci, Luisa Pasti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Clean Technologies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8797/7/2/34
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author Mirco Cescon
Francesco Chiefa
Tatiana Chenet
Maura Mancinelli
Claudia Stevanin
Annalisa Martucci
Luisa Pasti
author_facet Mirco Cescon
Francesco Chiefa
Tatiana Chenet
Maura Mancinelli
Claudia Stevanin
Annalisa Martucci
Luisa Pasti
author_sort Mirco Cescon
collection DOAJ
description Adsorption represents an effective strategy for water remediation applications, particularly when utilising eco-friendly materials in a circular economy framework. This approach offers significant advantages, including low cost, material availability, ease of operation, and high efficiency. Herein, the performance of cadmium ion adsorption onto hydroxyapatites, derived through a calcination-free process from shells of two mollusc species, Queen Scallop (<i>Aequipecten opercularis</i>) and Pacific Oyster (<i>Magallana gigas</i>), is examined. The phase and morphology of the synthesised adsorbents were investigated. The results showed that hydroxyapatites obtained from mollusc shells are characterised by high efficiency regarding cadmium removal from water, exhibiting rapid kinetics with equilibrium achieved within 5 min and high adsorption capacities up to 334.9 mg g<sup>−1</sup>, much higher than many waste-based adsorbents reported in literature. Structural investigation revealed the presence of Cadmium Hydrogen Phosphate Hydrate in the hydroxyapatite derived from oyster shells loaded with Cd, indicating the formation of a solid solution. This finding suggests that the material not only has the capability to decontaminate but also to immobilise and store Cd. Overall, the results indicate that hydroxyapatites prepared via a synthetic route in mild conditions from waste shells are an economical and efficient sorbent for heavy metals encountered in wastewater.
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spelling doaj-art-3334a08cbf364b0eb3f3579236d854862025-08-20T03:27:23ZengMDPI AGClean Technologies2571-87972025-04-01723410.3390/cleantechnol7020034Hydroxyapatite-Based Adsorbent Materials from Aquaculture Waste for Remediation of Metal-Contaminated Waters: Investigation of Cadmium RemovalMirco Cescon0Francesco Chiefa1Tatiana Chenet2Maura Mancinelli3Claudia Stevanin4Annalisa Martucci5Luisa Pasti6Department of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, ItalyDepartment of Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Agricultural Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, ItalyDepartment of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, ItalyPhysics and Earth Sciences Department, University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 1, 44122 Ferrara, ItalyDepartment of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, ItalyPhysics and Earth Sciences Department, University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 1, 44122 Ferrara, ItalyDepartment of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, ItalyAdsorption represents an effective strategy for water remediation applications, particularly when utilising eco-friendly materials in a circular economy framework. This approach offers significant advantages, including low cost, material availability, ease of operation, and high efficiency. Herein, the performance of cadmium ion adsorption onto hydroxyapatites, derived through a calcination-free process from shells of two mollusc species, Queen Scallop (<i>Aequipecten opercularis</i>) and Pacific Oyster (<i>Magallana gigas</i>), is examined. The phase and morphology of the synthesised adsorbents were investigated. The results showed that hydroxyapatites obtained from mollusc shells are characterised by high efficiency regarding cadmium removal from water, exhibiting rapid kinetics with equilibrium achieved within 5 min and high adsorption capacities up to 334.9 mg g<sup>−1</sup>, much higher than many waste-based adsorbents reported in literature. Structural investigation revealed the presence of Cadmium Hydrogen Phosphate Hydrate in the hydroxyapatite derived from oyster shells loaded with Cd, indicating the formation of a solid solution. This finding suggests that the material not only has the capability to decontaminate but also to immobilise and store Cd. Overall, the results indicate that hydroxyapatites prepared via a synthetic route in mild conditions from waste shells are an economical and efficient sorbent for heavy metals encountered in wastewater.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8797/7/2/34hydroxyapatitesheavy metalscadmiumwater remediationadsorption
spellingShingle Mirco Cescon
Francesco Chiefa
Tatiana Chenet
Maura Mancinelli
Claudia Stevanin
Annalisa Martucci
Luisa Pasti
Hydroxyapatite-Based Adsorbent Materials from Aquaculture Waste for Remediation of Metal-Contaminated Waters: Investigation of Cadmium Removal
Clean Technologies
hydroxyapatites
heavy metals
cadmium
water remediation
adsorption
title Hydroxyapatite-Based Adsorbent Materials from Aquaculture Waste for Remediation of Metal-Contaminated Waters: Investigation of Cadmium Removal
title_full Hydroxyapatite-Based Adsorbent Materials from Aquaculture Waste for Remediation of Metal-Contaminated Waters: Investigation of Cadmium Removal
title_fullStr Hydroxyapatite-Based Adsorbent Materials from Aquaculture Waste for Remediation of Metal-Contaminated Waters: Investigation of Cadmium Removal
title_full_unstemmed Hydroxyapatite-Based Adsorbent Materials from Aquaculture Waste for Remediation of Metal-Contaminated Waters: Investigation of Cadmium Removal
title_short Hydroxyapatite-Based Adsorbent Materials from Aquaculture Waste for Remediation of Metal-Contaminated Waters: Investigation of Cadmium Removal
title_sort hydroxyapatite based adsorbent materials from aquaculture waste for remediation of metal contaminated waters investigation of cadmium removal
topic hydroxyapatites
heavy metals
cadmium
water remediation
adsorption
url https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8797/7/2/34
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