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Geological-geotechnical characterization and adsorption study of Pb, Zn and Cd by peat and organic compounds

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Author(s):
Jacqueline Zanin Lima
Total Authors: 1
Document type: Master's Dissertation
Press: São Carlos.
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD)
Defense date:
Examining board members:
Valéria Guimarães Silvestre Rodrigues; Cleide Aparecida Abreu; Eny Maria Vieira
Advisor: Valéria Guimarães Silvestre Rodrigues
Abstract

Organic reactive materials, such as peat and compounds, have a considerable potential for use in the remediation of contaminated areas by potentially toxic metals, due to their high adsorption capacity, commonly associated with high organic matter content. The use of organic compound becomes advantageous because it is a possibility of final destination for the compostable municipal solid waste, according to the public policies, being able to add economic and environmental value to the waste. In this perspective, the selection of the most viable reactive materials to be used in the retention of metals is needful, its characterization (geological and geotechnical) and the study of its real adsorptive capacity through adsorption tests are essential. Thus, the objective of this research was to characterize the geological and geotechnical characteristics of a peat (from Mogi Guaçu\'s basin in the city Cravinhos) and four compounds (total, indian, static and wired, from composters located at the University of São Paulo), besides batch tests with lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd). To achieve the objectives, the following tests were done: particle size analysis, solids specific mass\' determination, density, moisture content, physico-chemical parameters (potential hydrogenion - pH, &Delta;pH, oxy-reduction potential - Eh and electrical conductivity - EC), point of zero salt effect (PZSE), organic matter (OM), ash content, cation exchange capacity (CEC), water retention capacity (WRC), elemental composition (C, H and N), organic carbon, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy/X-Ray Dispersive Energy Spectroscopy (SEM/DES) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA). From the detailed knowledge of the physical and chemical parameters of the materials was possible to perform the batch equilibrium test with monoelemental solutions of Pb, Zn and Cd with different concentrations below 220 mg L-1 and reactive material/solution ratio of 1/50 (as defined in the preliminary stage). Regarding the characterization results, peat and compounds presented promising characteristics for adsorption. The peat showed moderately acidic pH (5.1), negative &Delta;pH (-1.0) attesting to a majority presence of negative charges on the surface of the particles, which was confirmed by the PZSE (3.6) < pH (5.1), a considerably high OM content (520.43 mg kg-1) and a high CEC (91.00 cmolc kg-1). The compounds exhibited from slightly acidic to slightly basic pH values (6.4 to 7.7), negative &Delta;pH (-0.4 to -1.0), promising OM (193.92 to 418.70 mg kg-1) and variable CEC (29.00 to 75.00 cmolc kg-1). In general, terms, the total and indian compounds presented more favorable characteristics for metal retention, what was confirmed by the preliminary step of the adsorption test. As the Indian compound had a small enhancement on the immobilization of Cd and Zn and due, it showed greater control in the composition process, it was chosen for a batch equilibrium test with varying concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cd, as well as a peat. The final adsorption results showed that the peat and the indian compound had the same order of metal affinity: Pb > Cd > Zn, whereby the compound showed a higher adsorption tendency. The peat showed a metal removal percentage (A%) higher than 90% for Pb concentrations up to 137 mg L-1, while the compound adsorbed more than 98% at all concentrations studied (26 to 214 mg L-1) not reaching the saturation state. Thus, peat and organic compounds, characterized by a low cost and a significant availability, can be classified as potential organic low-cost reactive materials for metal cations immobilization, mainly Pb2+ and Cd2+. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 15/02529-4 - Geological-geotechnical characterization of reactive organic materials to be used in the retention of potentially toxic metals
Grantee:Jacqueline Zanin Lima
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master