Sorption and desorption of 2,4-D and atrazine from water environment by waste tyre rubber granules and its management

Abstract

Waste tyre rubber granules were used as sorption medium in water treatment technology to remove up to 1 mg l-1 of 2,4-D and atrazine. The removal was found to be 83.2% and 87% corresponding to initial concentration of 0.5 and 1 mg l-1 of 2,4-D whereas it was 84.2% and 87.6% for atrazine. On the basis of solubility of specific solution and adsorption interaction, 15% ethyl alcohol and 15% acetone solutions were found to be effective as regeneration solvents for 2,4-D and atrazine, respectively. Even after three cycles of sorption and regeneration, rubber granules had significant residual adsorption capacity; hence it could be reused over many more cycles of operation. Finally, exhausted waste tyre rubber granules were effectively disposed by mixing it with asphalt.