Preparation and evaluation of altered zeolite and diatomite as affordable adsorbents in contaminated water treatment

Abstract Natural diatomite as well as zeolite has been recognized as useful affordable adsorbents for water treatments for heavy metals elimination. The raw materials, zeolite and diatomite were modified using organic acid (citric acid) in different molarity degrees, i.e., 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0...

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Main Authors: H. Mansour, Hossam F. Nassar, A. Zaghloul, H. Kabary, Sayed A. Ahmed
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-06-01
Series:Applied Water Science
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-025-02518-x
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author H. Mansour
Hossam F. Nassar
A. Zaghloul
H. Kabary
Sayed A. Ahmed
author_facet H. Mansour
Hossam F. Nassar
A. Zaghloul
H. Kabary
Sayed A. Ahmed
author_sort H. Mansour
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Natural diatomite as well as zeolite has been recognized as useful affordable adsorbents for water treatments for heavy metals elimination. The raw materials, zeolite and diatomite were modified using organic acid (citric acid) in different molarity degrees, i.e., 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 molar, aiming to increase their surface area by forming new functional groups and increasing the active sites. The modifiers were tested as adsorbent materials for eliminating heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu, Al, Ni, As and Cd) from El-Batts drain wastewater, Fayoum, Egypt. Also, diatomite as well as zeolite were investigated regarding surface chemistry (SEM), (FTIR), and antimicrobial activities. Batch adsorption trials were performed, and four kinetic models employed in assessing heavy metals release's data compliance from studied contaminated water including Elovich, Parabolic diffusion, modified Freundlich, and first-order equations. Results revealed that metals adsorption on zeolite and diatomite conforms well to Elovich model. The kinetic studies were better fitted to the Elovich and modified Freundlich models. With a correlation coefficient (R 2 > 0.98), heavy metals elimination by the various treatments was significantly correlated with the Elovich, first-order and modified Freundlich models. Results showed the treated zeolite and diatomite materials were verified to be functional adsorbents for minimizing the hazards of heavy metals from low-quality water to the permissible levels. In addition, washing, heating, and treating zeolite and diatomite with moderate organic acid (citric acid) could increase the active sites and boost their surfaces with open pores and channels. The treatment of zeolite and diatomite with citric acid at 0.6 and 0.2 M, respectively, exhibited optimal molarity values to increase their adsorption capacity to the studied inorganic pollutants with their various concentrations.
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spelling doaj-art-e3081a0f32dc49dabd137726b0d35d812025-08-20T04:03:06ZengSpringerOpenApplied Water Science2190-54872190-54952025-06-0115712810.1007/s13201-025-02518-xPreparation and evaluation of altered zeolite and diatomite as affordable adsorbents in contaminated water treatmentH. Mansour0Hossam F. Nassar1A. Zaghloul2H. Kabary3Sayed A. Ahmed4Soils and Water Use Department, Agricultural and Biological Research Institute, National Research CentreEnvironmental Science and Industrial Development Department, Faculty of Post Graduate Studies for Advanced Sciences, Beni-Suef UniversitySoils and Water Use Department, Agricultural and Biological Research Institute, National Research CentreAgricultural Microbiology Department, Agricultural and Biological Research Institute, National Research CentreChemistry Department (Organic Chemistry Division), Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef UniversityAbstract Natural diatomite as well as zeolite has been recognized as useful affordable adsorbents for water treatments for heavy metals elimination. The raw materials, zeolite and diatomite were modified using organic acid (citric acid) in different molarity degrees, i.e., 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 molar, aiming to increase their surface area by forming new functional groups and increasing the active sites. The modifiers were tested as adsorbent materials for eliminating heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu, Al, Ni, As and Cd) from El-Batts drain wastewater, Fayoum, Egypt. Also, diatomite as well as zeolite were investigated regarding surface chemistry (SEM), (FTIR), and antimicrobial activities. Batch adsorption trials were performed, and four kinetic models employed in assessing heavy metals release's data compliance from studied contaminated water including Elovich, Parabolic diffusion, modified Freundlich, and first-order equations. Results revealed that metals adsorption on zeolite and diatomite conforms well to Elovich model. The kinetic studies were better fitted to the Elovich and modified Freundlich models. With a correlation coefficient (R 2 > 0.98), heavy metals elimination by the various treatments was significantly correlated with the Elovich, first-order and modified Freundlich models. Results showed the treated zeolite and diatomite materials were verified to be functional adsorbents for minimizing the hazards of heavy metals from low-quality water to the permissible levels. In addition, washing, heating, and treating zeolite and diatomite with moderate organic acid (citric acid) could increase the active sites and boost their surfaces with open pores and channels. The treatment of zeolite and diatomite with citric acid at 0.6 and 0.2 M, respectively, exhibited optimal molarity values to increase their adsorption capacity to the studied inorganic pollutants with their various concentrations.https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-025-02518-xZeoliteDiatomiteWater treatmentWater contaminationKinetic modelsAntimicrobial activities
spellingShingle H. Mansour
Hossam F. Nassar
A. Zaghloul
H. Kabary
Sayed A. Ahmed
Preparation and evaluation of altered zeolite and diatomite as affordable adsorbents in contaminated water treatment
Applied Water Science
Zeolite
Diatomite
Water treatment
Water contamination
Kinetic models
Antimicrobial activities
title Preparation and evaluation of altered zeolite and diatomite as affordable adsorbents in contaminated water treatment
title_full Preparation and evaluation of altered zeolite and diatomite as affordable adsorbents in contaminated water treatment
title_fullStr Preparation and evaluation of altered zeolite and diatomite as affordable adsorbents in contaminated water treatment
title_full_unstemmed Preparation and evaluation of altered zeolite and diatomite as affordable adsorbents in contaminated water treatment
title_short Preparation and evaluation of altered zeolite and diatomite as affordable adsorbents in contaminated water treatment
title_sort preparation and evaluation of altered zeolite and diatomite as affordable adsorbents in contaminated water treatment
topic Zeolite
Diatomite
Water treatment
Water contamination
Kinetic models
Antimicrobial activities
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-025-02518-x
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