Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Investigation of ammonium adsorption on Algerian natural bentonite

  • Recent Advances in Chemistry and the Environment
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Adsorption of several chemical contaminants onto clay minerals is the most recommended technique applied in the wastewater treatment field, owing to its low economic cost, efficiency, and low power consumption. In this context, natural bentonite particles with 80-μm diameter were investigated for the ammonium adsorption in aqueous solution using an incubator that kept the constant temperature and stirring speed at 200 RPM. The study of different experimental parameters effect on the adsorption process revealed that the raw bentonite have adsorbed approximately 53.36 % of the initial ammonium concentration at pH 7 and temperature of 30 °C. This percentage has been improved by increasing the adsorbent dosage in solution, which could reach up to 81.2 % at 40 g/L of bentonite with an initial ammonium concentration of 10 mg-NH4 +/L. Moreover, experimental data modeling allowed us to conclude that the adsorption isotherm obeys to both models of Langmuir and Freundlich.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aksas H (2013) Study thermodynamic and kinetics of the adsorption of heavy metals by the use of natural adsorbents, Doctorate thesis, Process Engineering. University of Boumerdes, Algeria, in French

    Google Scholar 

  • Alshameri A, Ibrahim A, Assabri AM, Lei X, Wang H, Yan C (2014) The investigation into the ammonium removal performance of Yemeni natural zeolite: modification, ion exchange mechanism, and thermodynamics. Powder Technol 258:20–31

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amirouche L (2011) Study of the sorptive capacity of the copper (II), zinc (II) and polyphenols bentonites under the effect of microwave irradiation, Magister memory, Chemistry. University of Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria, in French

    Google Scholar 

  • Balci S (2004) Nature of ammonium ion adsorption by sepiolite: analysis of equilibrium data with several isotherms. Water Res 38:1129–1138

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Balci S, Dincel Y (2002) Ammonium ion adsorption with sepiolite: use of transient uptake method. Chem Eng Process 41(2002):79–85

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baziz M (2010) Synthesis and characterization of nanocomposite polyaniline-sepiolite, Magister memory. University of Oran, Algeria, in French

    Google Scholar 

  • Candido L, Gomes JCAP (2011) Evaluation of anode materials for the electro-oxidation of ammonia and ammonium ions. Mater Chem Phys129, 1146– 1151

  • Chen JP, Chua ML, Zhang B (2002) Effects of competitive ions, humic acid, and pH on removal of ammonium and phosphorous from the synthetic industrial effluent by ion exchange resins. Waste Manage 22:711–719

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dada AO, Olalekan AP, Olatunya AM, Dada O (2012) Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms studies of equilibrium sorption of Zn2+ unto phosphoric acid modified rice husk. J Appl Chem 3(1):38–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Gendel Y, Lahav O (2013) A novel approach for ammonia removal from fresh-water recirculated aquaculture systems, comprising ion exchange and electrochemical regeneration. Aquacult Eng 52:27–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghose MK (2002) Complete physico-chemical treatment for coke plant effluents. Water Res 36:1127–1134

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Glatstein DA, Francisca FM (2015) Influence of pH and ionic strength on Cd, Cu and Pb removal from water by adsorption in Na-bentonite. Appl Clay Sci 118(2015):61–67

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guerra DJL, Mello I, Resende R, Silva R (2013) Application as absorbents of natural and functionalized Brazilian bentonite in Pb2+ adsorption: equilibrium, kinetic, pH, and thermodynamic effects. Water Resour Ind 4:32–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo X, Zeng L, Li X, Park HS (2008) Ammonium and potassium removal for anaerobically digested wastewater using natural clinoptilolite followed by membrane pretreatment. J Hazard Mater 151:125–133

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hasanoglu A, Romero J, Pérez B, Plaza A (2010) Ammonia removal from wastewater streams through membrane contactors: experimental and theoretical analysis of operation parameters and configuration. Chem Eng J 160:530–537

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ismadji S, Tong DS, Soetaredjo FE, Ayucitra A, Yu WH, Zhou CH (2016) Bentonite hydrochar composite for removal of ammonium from Koi fish tank. Appl Clay Sci 119:146–154

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ji Z-Y, Yuan J-S, Li X-G (2007) Removal of ammonium from wastewater using calcium form clinoptilolite. J Hazard Mater 141:483–488

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karadag D, Tok S, Akgul E, Turan M, Ozturk M, Demir A (2008) Ammonium removal from sanitary landfill leachate using natural Gördes clinoptilolite. J Hazard Mater 153:60–66

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karapınar N (2009) Application of natural zeolite for phosphorus and ammonium removal from aqueous solutions. J Hazard Mater 170:1186–1191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kizito S, Wu S, Kirui WK, Lei M, Lu Q, Bah H, Dong R (2015) Evaluation of slow pyrolyzed wood and rice husks biochar for adsorption of ammonium nitrogen from piggery manure anaerobic digestate slurry. Sci Total Environ 505(2015):102–112

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Langmuir IL (1916) The constitution and fundamental properties of solids and liquids. J Am Chem Soc 38:2221–2295

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leyva-Ramos R, Monsivais-Rocha JE, Aragon-Piña A, Berber-Mendoza MS, Guerrero-Coronado RM, Alonso-Davila P, Mendoza-Barron J (2010) Removal of ammonium from aqueous solution by ion exchange on natural and modified chabazite. J Environ Manage 91:2662–2668

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li M, Wang L, Chen JY, Jiang YL, Wang WJ (2014) Adsorption performance and mechanism of bentonite modified by ammonium bromide for gas-phase elemental mercury removal. J Fuel Chem Technol 42(10):1266–1272

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li X, Lin C, Wang Y, Zhao M, Hou Y (2010) Clinoptilolite adsorption capability of ammonia in pig farm. Procedia Environ Sci 2:1598–1612

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin L, Lei Z, Wang L, Liu X, Zhang Y, Wan C, Lee D-J, Tay JH (2013) Adsorption mechanisms of high-levels of ammonium onto natural and NaCl-modified zeolites. Sepa Purifi Technol 103:15–20

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu H, Dong Y, Wang H, Liu Y (2010) Ammonium adsorption from aqueous solutions by strawberry leaf powder: equilibrium, kinetics and effects of coexisting ions. Desalination 263:70–75

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luukkonen T, Sarkkinen M, Kemppainen K, Rämö J, Lassi U (2016) Metakaolin geopolymer characterization and application for ammonium removal from model solutions and landfill leachate. Appl Clay Sci 119:266–276

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Makhoukhi B, Djab M, Didi MA (2015) Adsorption of Telon dyes onto bis imidazolium modified bentonite in aqueous solutions. J Environ Chem Eng 3:1384–1392

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murray HH (2007) Applied clay mineralogy: occurrences, processing and application of kaolins, bentonites, palygorskite–sepiolite, and common clays, Firstth edn. Elsevier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Norddahl B, Horna VG, Larssona M, du Preezb JH, Christensena K (2006) A membrane contactor for ammonia stripping, pilot scale experience and modelling. Desalination 199:172–174

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Otal E, Vilches LF, Luna Y, Poblete R, Garca-Maya JM, Fernandez-Pereira C (2013) Ammonium ion adsorption and settleability improvement achieved in a synthetic zeolite-amended activated sludge. Chinese J Chem Eng 21(9):1062–1068

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pivato A, Raga R (2006) Tests for the evaluation of ammonium attenuation in MSW landfill leachate by adsorption into bentonite in a landfill liner. Waste Manage 26:123–132

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rahman MM, Salleh MAM, Rashid U, Ahsan A, Hossain M, Chang Six Ra M (2014) Production of slow release crystal fertilizer from wastewaters through struvite crystallization. Arabian J Chem 7:139–155

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rodier J, Bazin C, Broutin J-P, Chambon P, Champsaur H, Rodi L (2005) Water analysis, 8eth edn. Dunod, Paris, pp 149–155, in French

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz R, Blanc C, Pesquera C, Gonzilez F, Benito I, Lopez JL (1997) Zeolitization of a bentonite and its application to the removal of ammonium ion from waste water. Appl Clay Sci 12:73–83

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seghairi N, Koussa M, Achour S (2004) Chemical activation effect of the bentonite on humic substances adsorption in variable mineralization of waters. Larhyss J 03:91–102 (in French)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharifnia S, Khadivi M A, Shojaeimehr T & Shavisi Y (2013) Characterization, isotherm and kinetic studies for ammonium ion adsorption by light expanded clay aggregate (LECA), article in press. J Saudi Chem Soc, http://dx doi org/10 1016/j jscs 2012 12 003

  • Ugurlu M, Karaoglu MH (2011) Adsorption of ammonium from an aqueous solution by fly ash and sepiolite: isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic analysis. Micropor Mesopor Mat 139:173–178

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Venkatathri N (2006) Characterization and catalytic properties of a naturally occurring clay, bentonite. Bull Catal Soc India 5:61–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Kmiya Y, Okuhara T (2007) Removal of low-concentration ammonia in water by ion-exchange using Na-mordenite. Water Res 41:269–276

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang K, Zhang X, Chao C, Zhang B, Liu J (2014) In-situ preparation of NaA zeolite/chitosan porous hybrid beads for removal of ammonium from aqueous solution. Carbohyd Polym 107:103–109

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yao S, Ni J, Tao Ma T, Li C (2013) Heterotrophic nitrification and aerobic denitrification at low temperature by a newly isolated bacterium, Acinetobacter sp HA2. Bioresource Technol 139:80–86

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu R, Geng J, Ren H, Wang Y, Xu K (2013) Struvite pyrolysate recycling combined with dry pyrolysis for ammonium removal from wastewater. Bioresource Technol 132:154–159

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zamparas M, Drosos M, Deligiannakis Y, Zacharias I (2015) Eutrophication control using a novel bentonite humic-acid composite material Bephos™. J Environ Chem Eng 3:3030–3036

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y, Shi Z, Chen M, Dong X, Zhou J (2014) Evaluation of simultaneous nitrification and denitrification under controlled conditions by an aerobic denitrifier culture. Bioresource Technol 175:602–605

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao Y, Zhang B, Zhang X, Wang J, Liu J, Chen R (2010) Preparation of highly ordered cubic NaA zeolite from halloysite mineral for adsorption of ammonium ions. J Hazard Mater 178:658–664

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng Y, Wang A (2009) Evaluation of ammonium removal using a chitosan-g-poly (acrylic acid)/rectorite hydrogel composite. J Hazard Mater 171:671–677

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Treatment and Formatting of Polymers, Faculty of Engineering Sciences, University of M’Hamed Bougara, Boumerdes, 35000, Algeria

    Yassmina Angar & Nacer-Eddine Djelali

  2. Department of Biology, Laboratory of VALCOR, Faculty of sciences, University of M’Hamed Bougara, Boumerdes, 35000, Algeria

    Salima Kebbouche-Gana

Authors
  1. Yassmina Angar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nacer-Eddine Djelali
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Salima Kebbouche-Gana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yassmina Angar.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Angar, Y., Djelali, NE. & Kebbouche-Gana, S. Investigation of ammonium adsorption on Algerian natural bentonite. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 11078–11089 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6500-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6500-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation