Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Adsorptive Removal of Bisphenol A Using N-Doped Biochar Made of Ulva prolifera

  • Published:
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Excess biomass of Ulva prolifera (U. prolifera) which is a marine macroalgae capable of forming green tides due to the marine eutrophication has become a huge burden for both environment and economic development in the coastal zone. U. prolifera samples were collected from a beach that was piled up with fresh U. prolifera biomass due to the outbreak of green tide. The N-doped carbon adsorbent (U. prolifera-based biochar) with N content of 2.6% was prepared through a rapid hydrothermal carbonization process, and used for the adsorptive removal of bisphenol A (BPA) known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) specific surface area of the biochar was 25.43 m2 g−1, which was beyond those of many algal biochars. Efficient adsorptive removal of BPA using U. prolifera based biochar was achieved. Most of BPA was removed within 4 h. The adsorption kinetics of BPA on U. prolifera based biochar fitted second-order model. The experimental adsorption capacities slightly changed from 9.38 ± 0.11 to 9.68 ± 0.21 mg g−1 when the pH increased from 4.0 to 10.0, indicating that the influence of wastewater pH on the adsorption of BPA by the algal biochar can be neglected in most cases. The Langmuir isotherm fitted well with the BPA adsorption data. High temperature could enhance BPA adsorption on the biochar. According to the Langmuir model, the adsorption capacity (Q m) of BPA increased from 33.30 to 84.19 mg g−1 when the temperature increased from 25 to 45 °C. High ionic strength led to the increase in the adsorption of BPA. The adsorption capacity (Q m) almost doubled when the ionic strength increased from 0 to 500 mM. These findings indicate a promising way to treat the excess U. prolifera biomass in coastal zone and control phenolic EDCs pollution at low cost.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baccile, N., Antonietti, M., & Titirici, M. M. (2010). One-step hydrothermal synthesis of nitrogen-doped nanocarbons: albumine directing the carbonization of glucose. ChemSusChem, 3, 246–253.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berge, N. D., Ro, K. S., Mao, J., Flora, J. R., Chappell, M. A., & Bae, S. (2011). Hydrothermal carbonization of municipal waste streams. Environmental Science & Technology, 45, 5696–5703.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatnagar, A., & Anastopoulos, I. (2017). Adsorptive removal of bisphenol A (BPA) from aqueous solution: a review. Chemosphere, 168, 885–902.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bird, M. I., Wurster, C. M., de Paula Silva, P. H., Bass, A. M., & De Nys, R. (2011). Algal biochar–production and properties. Bioresource Technology, 102, 1886–1891.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brunauer, S., Emmett, P. H., & Teller, E. (1938). Adsorption of gases in multimolecular layers. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 60, 309–319.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cousins, I. T., Staple, C. A., Klecka, G. M., & Mackay, D. (2002). A multimedia assessment of the environmental fate of bisphenol A. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, 8(5), 1107–1135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diamanti-Kandarakis, E., Bourguignon, J. P., Giudice, L. C., Hauser, R., Prins, G. S., Soto, A. M., Zoeller, R. T., & Gore, A. C. (2009). Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: an Endocrine Society scientific statement. Endocrine Reviews, 30, 293–342.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • El-Ashtoukhy, E. S., Amin, N., & Abdelwahab, O. (2008). Removal of lead (II) and copper (II) from aqueous solution using pomegranate peel as a new adsorbent. Desalination, 223, 162–173.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fontecha-Cámara, M., López-Ramón, M., Alvarez-Merino, M., & Moreno-Castilla, C. (2007). Effect of surface chemistry, solution pH, and ionic strength on the removal of herbicides diuron and amitrole from water by an activated carbon fiber. Langmuir, 23, 1242–1247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freundlich, H. (1906). Über die Adsorption in Lösungen. Leipzig: W. Engelmann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gökmen, V., & Serpen, A. (2002). Equilibrium and kinetic studies on the adsorption of dark colored compounds from apple juice using adsorbent resin. Journal of Food Engineering, 53, 221–227.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gu, L., Guo, H., Zhou, P., Zhu, N., Zhang, D., Yuan, H., & Lou, Z. (2014). Enhanced adsorptive removal of naphthalene intermediates from aqueous solution by introducing reed straw into sewage sludge-based activated carbon. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 21, 2043–2053.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He, L., Gielen, G., Bolan, N. S., Zhang, X., Qin, H., Huang, H., & Wang, H. (2015). Contamination and remediation of phthalic acid esters in agricultural soils in China: a review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 35, 519–534.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, Z., & Srinivasan, M. (1999). Preparation of high-surface-area activated carbons from coconut shell. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 27, 11–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ikehata, K., Liu, Y., & Sun, R. (2009). Health effects associated with wastewater treatment, reuse, and disposal. Water Environment Research, 81, 2126–2146.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johansson, C. L., Paul, N. A., de Nys, R., & Roberts, D. A. (2016). Simultaneous biosorption of selenium, arsenic and molybdenum with modified algal-based biochars. Journal of Environmental Management, 165, 117–123.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Joseph, L., Zaib, Q., Khan, I. A., Berge, N. D., Park, Y.- G., Saleh, N. B., & Yoon, Y. (2011). Removal of bisphenol A and 17α-ethinyl estradiol from landfill leachate using single-walled carbon nanotubes. Water Research, 45, 4056–4068.

  • Langmuir, I. (1918). The adsorption of gases on plane surfaces of glass, mica and platinum. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 40, 1361–1403.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, H., An, N., Liu, G., Li, J., Liu, N., Jia, M., Zhang, W., & Yuan, X. (2016). Adsorption behaviors of methyl orange dye on nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon materials. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 466, 343–351.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Libra, J. A., Ro, K. S., Kammann, C., Funke, A., Berge, N. D., Neubauer, Y., Titirici, M. M., Fuhner, C., Benz, O., Kern, J., & Emmerich, K. H. (2011). Hydrothermal carbonization of biomass residuals: a comparative review of the chemistry, processes and applications of wet and dry pyrolysis. Biofuels, 2, 71–106.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Z., & Zhang, F. (2009). Removal of lead from water using biochars prepared from hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 167, 933–939.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, J., Wu, J., Stoffella, P. J., & Wilson, P. C. (2012). Isotope dilution-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for the analysis of alkylphenols, bisphenol A, and estrogens in food crops. Journal of Chromatography A, 1258, 128–135.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, J., Wu, J., Stoffella, P. J., & Wilson, P. C. (2015). Uptake and distribution of bisphenol A and nonylphenol in vegetable crops irrigated with reclaimed water. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 283, 865–870.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meng, J., Feng, X., Dai, Z., Liu, X., Wu, J., & Xu, J. (2014). Adsorption characteristics of Cu(II) from aqueous solution onto biochar derived from swine manure. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 21, 7035–7046.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mochidzuki, K., Sato, N., & Sakoda, A. (2005). Production and characterization of carbonaceous adsorbents from biomass wastes by aqueous phase carbonization. Adsorption, 11, 669–673.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sevilla, M., Macia-Agullo, J. A., & Fuertes, A. B. (2011). Hydrothermal carbonization of biomass as a route for the sequestration of CO2: chemical and structural properties of the carbonized products. Biomass and Bioenergy, 35, 3152–3159.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shaaban, A., Se, S.- M., Dimin, M. F., Juoi, J. M., Mohd Husin, M. H., & Mitan, N. M. M. (2014). Influence of heating temperature and holding time on biochars derived from rubber wood sawdust via slow pyrolysis. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 107, 31–39.

  • Shi, W., & Wang, M. (2009). Green macroalgae blooms in the Yellow Sea during the spring and summer of 2008. Journal of Geophysical Research, 114, C12010. doi:10.1029/2009JC005513.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun, X.- F., Wang, S.- G., Liu, X.- W., Gong, W.- X., Bao, N., Gao, B.- Y., & Zhang, H.- Y. (2008). Biosorption of malachite green from aqueous solutions onto aerobic granules: kinetic and equilibrium studies. Bioresource Technology, 99, 3475–3483.

  • Titirici, M. M., Thomas, A., Yu, S.- H., Müller, J. O., & Antonietti, M. (2007). A direct synthesis of mesoporous carbons with bicontinuous pore morphology from crude plant material by hydrothermal carbonization. Chemistry of Materials, 19, 4205–4212.

  • Ulrich, B. A., Im, E., Werner, D., & Higgins, C. P. (2015). Biochar and activated carbon for enhanced trace organic contaminant retention in stormwater infiltration systems. Environmental Science & Technology, 49, 6222–6230.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y., Lu, J., Wu, J., Liu, Q., Zhang, H., & Jin, S. (2015). Adsorptive removal of fluoroquinolone antibiotics using bamboo biochar. Sustainability, 7(9), 12947–12957.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, W., Li, J., Niazi, N. K., Muller, K., Chu, Y., Zhang, L., Yuan, G., Lu, K., Song, Z., & Wang, H. (2016). Influence of pyrolysis temperature on lead immobilization by chemically modified coconut fiber-derived biochars in aqueous environments. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 23, 22890–22896.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, T., Lou, L., Luo, L., Cao, R., Duan, D., & Chen, Y. (2012). Effect of bamboo biochar on pentachlorophenol leachability and bioavailability in agricultural soil. Science of the Total Environment, 414, 727–731.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, X., Cao, X., Zhao, L., Wang, H., Yu, H., & Gao, B. (2013). Removal of Cu, Zn, and Cd from aqueous solutions by the dairy manure-derived biochar. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 20, 358–368.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, Y., Liu, Y., Liu, S., Tan, X., Zeng, G., Zeng, W., Ding, Y., Cao, W., & Zheng, B. (2016). Enhanced adsorption of methylene blue by citric acid modification of biochar derived from water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes). Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 23, 23606–23618.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, X., Liu, J., McGrouther, K., Huang, H., Lu, K., Guo, X., He, L., Lin, X., Che, L., Ye, Z., & Wang, H. (2016). Effect of biochar on the extractability of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) and enzyme activity in soil. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 23, 974–984.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yao, H., Lu, J., Wu, J., Lu, Z., Wilson, P. C., & Shen, Y. (2012). Adsorption of fluoroquinolone antibiotics by wastewater sludge biochar: role of the sludge source. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 224, 1370. doi:10.1007/s11270-012-1370-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yurtsever, M., & Şengil, İ. A. (2009). Biosorption of Pb(II) ions by modified quebracho tannin resin. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 163, 58–64.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Z., Wang, K., Atkinson, J. D., Yan, X., Li, X., Rood, M. J., & Yan, Z. (2012). Sustainable and hierarchical porous Enteromorpha prolifera based carbon for CO2 capture. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 229-230, 183–191.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X., Wang, H., He, L., Lu, K., Sarmah, A., Li, J., Bolan, N. S., Pei, J., & Huang, H. (2013). Using biochar for remediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals and organic pollutants. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 20, 8472–8483.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, L., Bacsik, Z., Hedin, N., Wei, W., Sun, Y., Antonietti, M., & Titirici, M. M. (2010). Carbon dioxide capture on amine-rich carbonaceous materials derived from glucose. ChemSusChem, 3, 840–845.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, D., Zhang, L., Zhang, S., Fu, H., & Chen, J. (2010). Hydrothermal liquefaction of macroalgae Enteromorpha prolifera to bio-oil. Energy & Fuels, 24, 4054–4061.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, Y., Lu, P., & Lu, J. (2012). Application of natural biosorbent and modified peat for bisphenol A removal from aqueous solutions. Carbohydrate Polymers, 88, 502–508.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, L., Xiao, Q., Shen, Y., & Li, S. (2017). Effects of biochar and maize straw on the short-term carbon and nitrogen dynamics in a cultivated silty loam in China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(1), 1019–1029.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by One Hundred-Talent Plan of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant numbers of Y629041021 and Y610061033), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41671319), Two-Hundred Talents Plan of Yantai (Y739011021), and Research Program of CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation (No. 1189010002). The authors would like to thank the reviewers for their valuable suggestions and comments on the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, People’s Republic of China

    Jian Lu, Cui Zhang & Yongming Luo

  2. Key Laboratory of Comprehensive and Highly Efficient Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, Qinghai, 810008, People’s Republic of China

    Jun Wu

Authors
  1. Jian Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Cui Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jun Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yongming Luo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jun Wu.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lu, J., Zhang, C., Wu, J. et al. Adsorptive Removal of Bisphenol A Using N-Doped Biochar Made of Ulva prolifera . Water Air Soil Pollut 228, 327 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-017-3516-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-017-3516-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation