Use of orange bagasse biocarbon for the removal of tetracycline in wastewater

Abstract

Several studies have reported the presence of emerging micro pollutants at trace levels in different parts of the world, being found in sanitary sewers, hospital effluents, industrial effluents, surface waters, marine envi ronments and sediments. In this context, this article was based on the study of the ability to remove tetracycline in effluents using a tertiary treatment based on bio-charcoal from orange pomace. The methodology was based on the study of interactions with the drug and the application in domestic effluents. Langmuir's model was the one that best adapted to the biochar, configuring adsorption of physical nature, favorable for the desorption process. The most adjusted kinetic model was the pseudo-second order and the estimated equilibrium time for the biochar was eight minutes. The spectrophotometric method proved to be safe, economical and viable for monitoring the adsorptive process. The biochar had a tetracycline adsorption capacity of 100% in domestic wastewater and the efficiency of filtration with biochar was on average 25% higher than with commercial coal. In view of the above, the possibility of converting a low-value agroindustrial residue to a value-added product, the orange bagasse biocarbon, to be used as a tertiary treatment for the reuse of effluents in irrigation is concluded of cultures and as an adsorbent for tetracycline removal in domestic wastewater.