Sulfamethoxazole Removal from Drinking Water by Activated Carbon: Kinetics and Diffusion Process

Abstract

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX), a pharmaceutical residue, which is persistent and mobile in soils, shows low biodegradability, and is frequently found in the different aquatic compartments, can be found at very low concentrations in water intended for human consumption. In conditions compatible with industrial practices, the kinetic reactivity and performance of tap water purification using activated carbon powder (ACP) are examined here using two extreme mass ratios of SMX to ACP: 2 µg/L and 2 mg/L of SMX for only 10 mg/L of ACP. In response to surface chemistry, ACP texture and the intrinsic properties of SMX in water at a pH of 8.1, four kinetic models, and two monosolute equilibrium models showed a total purification of the 2 µg/L of SMX, the presence of energetic heterogeneity of surface adsorption of ACP, rapid kinetics compatible with the residence times of industrial water treatment processes, and kinetics affected by intraparticle diffusion. The adsorption mechanisms proposed are physical mechanisms based mainly on π–π dispersion interactions and electrostatic interactions by SMX−/Divalent cation/ArO− and SMX−/Divalent cation/ArCOO− bridging. Adsorption in tap water, also an innovative element of this study, shows that ACP is very efficient for the purification of very slightly polluted water.

The synergistic action of cyclodextrin-based adsorbent and advanced oxidation processes for sulfamethoxazole removal from water

“…SMX is commonly used to treat digestive infections, typhoid fever, bronchopulmonary and urinary tract infections in humans and animals (Mourid et al 2019). After consumption, SMX is metabolized to a maximum of 70%: the remainder, along with its metabolites, is excreted, ending in wastewater (Bizi 2020), and passes unaltered in the environment, where it constitutes a threat to the ecosystem.…”

Factors affecting the concentrations of pharmaceutical compounds in river and groundwaters: efficiency of riverbank filtration (Mosina-Krajkowo well field, Poland)

“…Sulphamethoxazole is a per sis tent, poorly bio de gradable phar ma ceu ti cal com pound. It is ad sorbed on ac ti vated carbon (Bizi, 2020). Diclofenac is slightly sol u ble in wa ter, and does not biodegrade (Radjenovic et al, 2009;Vieno and Sillanpaa, 2014).…”

Novel Magnetic Nanocomposites Based on Carboxyl-Functionalized SBA-15 Silica for Effective Dye Adsorption from Aqueous Solutions

“…In the first stage, the adsorption is limited to the external diffusion of the adsorbate. The second stage consists of gradual adsorption of the adsorbate being limited by intraparticle diffusion, while the third one corresponds to an equilibrium phase during which the adsorption capacity remains stable [33]. This pattern shows that both external mass transfer and intraparticle diffusion are involved in adsorption.…”