Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solutions Using Date Palm By‐Products from Algerian Sahara: Cultivar Variations Effect

Abstract

This study aims to compare the methylene blue (MB) removal capacity from aqueous solutions of seven natural Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) By‐products (DPBPS). These include: Leaflets (DPLL), Rachis of leaf (DPRL), Fruit Bunch Stalk (DPFBS), Empty Fruit Bunch (DPEFB), Leaf Base (DPLB), fibrillium (DPF) and Spathe Sheath (DPSS), obtained from three different date palm cultivars: Degla, Ghers and Takermost from Ouargla Oasis in the Algerian Sahara, and to investigate the influence of the palm date nature part and cultivar on MB adsorption. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted at different concentrations; 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, and 105 mg/L of MB with 2.5 g of DPBP of each cultivar. The DPBPS of all cultivars exhibits remarkable adsorption efficiencies for MB removal. The highest maximal experimental adsorption capacities were observed for Degla DPLB (4.192 mg/g), Ghers DPF (4.191 mg/g) and Takermost DPF (4.193 mg/g) with(99.81 %), (99.79 %), and (99.82 %) adsorption rates in their cultivar respectively. Conversely, the lowest maximal experimental adsorption capacities were found for Degla DPLL 4.048 mg/g, Ghers DPEFB (4.12 mg/g) and Takermost DPSS (4.089 mg/g) with 96.40 %, 98.09 %, and at 97.67 % adsorption rates in each cultivar respectively. The equilibrium adsorption data were analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich models. The results indicated a good fit with the Freundlich model. The studied DPBPS represent natural, low‐cost, and locally available adsorbents that effectively remove MB from wastewater.