MAGELLAN PEAT (Sphagnum magallanicum) AS NATURAL ADSORBENT OF RECALCITRAN SYNTHETIC DYES

Turba magallanica (Sphagnum magallanicum) como adsorbente natural de colorantes sinteticos recalcitrantes ABSTRACT Colour abatement is a complex problem because the synthetic origin of the dyes used in the industry. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of using Magellan peat (Sphagnum magallanicum) as an adsorbent of textile dyes, determining the physical- chemical characteristics of the peat by measuring the adsorptive capacity of the dyes as well as exploring the degrading potential of the native microorganisms they contain. The results obtained indicate that the peat has a specific surface area (BET) and a volume of 144.3 m2 g-1 and 60% of meso- and macropores, respectively. The basicity of the peat surface is superior to acidity and the pH in which the neutrality is reached is about 3.1. Equilibrium concentrations for the basic, acid and reactive dyes in the solid and liquid phases were appropriately interpreted by the Langmuir model; however the maximum adsorption capacities of the first ones were significantly higher. If the solution pH is lower to pzpc, the absorption capacity of the acid dyes increases. Three different bacteria colonies with decolourization capacity were isolated. In conclusion, results indicate that the peat may be successfully applied in the detoxification of textile effluents.