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Strong adsorption of metolachlor by biochar prepared from walnut shells in water

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Abstract

In this study, we investigated the removal of metolachlor (MET) by biochar (BC) prepared from walnut shells (W-BC) compared with BCs made from cow dung (D-BC) and corn cobs (C-BC) by characterizing the adsorption kinetics, pH, adsorbent dose, and ionic strength, and using isotherm models. Weight analysis was also conducted to understand the adsorption capacity and adsorption mechanisms. The results showed that the MET removal rates were 87.89% (W-BC), 52.91% (D-BC), and 10.91% (C-BC), respectively. According to the results fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model, the saturated adsorption capacities for MET were 96.15 mg g−1, 37.88 mg g−1, and 11.98 mg g−1 with W-BC, D-BC, and C-BC, respectively. The results demonstrated that W-BC was particularly effective at MET removal. Analyses based on the weights of different factors showed that the correlation coefficient was highest for the BC type with 46.11% in the MET adsorption process, followed by the initial concentration of MET (19.29%). The adsorption of MET by BCs was probably influenced mostly by electron donor–acceptor interactions and pore filling. These results may facilitate further studies of the adsorption mechanism and optimization of the process.

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All data, materials, or models generated or used during the study appear in the submitted manuscript.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Miss Qi Liu of Northeast Agricultural University for her help during data collection and experimental setup.

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  1. College of Resources and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, 150030, China

    Lu Liu & Yingjie Dai

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  1. Lu Liu
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Lu Liu, writing—original draft preparation; Dr. Yingjie Dai, writing—review, project administration.

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Correspondence to Yingjie Dai.

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Liu, L., Dai, Y. Strong adsorption of metolachlor by biochar prepared from walnut shells in water. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 48379–48391 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-14117-9

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