INNOVATIVE COMPOSITE SORBENTS FOR ORGANIC AND INORGANIC POLLUTANTS REMOVAL FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS IN LANDFILL LEACHATES

Abstract

The study reveals the development of appropriate innovative sorbents based on clay material for arsenic and p-nitrophenol sorption using iron oxy-hydroxide and surfactant modification. Natural and manufactured clay were chosen for comparison of modification efficiency to obtain the best sorption results for As (V) and p-nitrophenol. Obtained results indicate that modification of clay with iron compounds and various surfactants significantly improve the sorption capacity of newly developed materials used for sorption of inorganic and organic compounds from aqueous solutions in landfill leachates.Natural clay minerals have received a lot of attention as potential sorbents, because of their abundance, cost-effectiveness, high sorption and ion-exchange properties [1]. Clay minerals can be modified using different approaches to obtain innovative materials for application as sorbents in the removal of inorganic and organic pollutants from leachates, wastewater, groundwater and soil [2, 3]. Modification with surfactants improves hydrophobization needed if interaction with low polarity organic molecules is necessary, but chemical modification with inorganic species, e.g., hydrated iron supports the physical improvement of sorption and ion exchange process in order to benefit the treatment of media from inorganic pollutants [4]. Materials achieved better properties for specific remedial applications regarding heavy metals and metalloids, prepared organoclays from hydrophilic montmorillonite by intercalating cationic or nonionic surfactants can interact with organic molecules of differing polarity and serve as immobilizers for organic molecules and toxicants, e.g., phenols and NOCs. Further studies will reveal improved properties to benefit landfill leachate treatment, wastewater engineering and environmental remediation industries.