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Most agricultural soils in Western Newfoundland are acidic and need lime to raise soil pH to be productive. Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Ltd produces a substantial amount of fly-ash, disposed of at a local landfill. This study was conducted to assess the potential for using fly-ash as a liming material for agricultural soil (pH 5.5) in Western Newfoundland. Heavy metal concentration in the soil and fly-ash were analysed and compared with soil and compost guidelines. As per quality guidelines, only part of the lime requirement can be substituted by fly-ash. The percentage may vary depending on initial soil pH and the desired pH for the crop to be grown. The total lime requirement can be met when fly-ash is applied combined with other soil amendments low in trace element concentration.

The feasibility of preparing activated carbon from Eichornia crassipes by chemical activation was investigated. Batch experiments were carried out for the sorption of Methylene Blue (MB) and Rhodamine B (RB) onto the prepared activated carbon. The variables studied were initial dye concentration, pH, adsorbent dose, and contact time. Equilibrium data for the adsorption of the dyes onto activated carbon were obtained from batch adsorption experiments. Two-parameter isotherm models including Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich were employed for fitting equilibrium data. Three-parameter isotherm models including Redlich–Peterson, Toth, and Koble–Corrigan models were also employed for fitting the equilibrium data. Linear and non-linear regression methods were used to determine the best fit model to the equilibrium data. It was found that non-linear regression is a better method for determining isotherm parameters. The data were fitted to pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion model, and Elovich equation. The pseudo-second-order model gave the best fit to the equilibrium data as seen from correlation coefficient values. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopic investigations were carried out to confirm the morphological characteristics of the adsorbent. The prepared activated carbon had greater affinity for adsorbing MB when compared to RB.

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