Application of Iron-Modified Activated Carbon for Phosphate Removal in Aqueous Systems

Abstract

Phosphate pollution in aquatic environments leads to eutrophication and harmful algal blooms, significantly impacting ecosystems and water quality. The current study evaluates the effectiveness of surface-modified activated carbon (SMAC) in suppressing phosphate release from sediments. Using soil samples from Daecheong Lake, the performance of SMAC adsorption for phosphate was analyzed under various SMAC modification scenarios. Experiments showed that SMAC achieved approximately twice the phosphate removal efficiency compared to conventional activated carbon, with increasing effectiveness under higher flow velocities. Additionally, SMAC significantly reduced phosphate concentrations within the sediment layers, proving its effectiveness in the soil remediation process as well. The results highlight SMAC as a promising solution for mitigating pollutant release in rivers, lakes, and coastal areas, offering both short-term and cumulative long-term benefits for water quality improvement and ecosystem protection.