The Role of bentonite soil and Activated carbon in absorption of polycyclic Aromatic hydrocarbons of polluted wastewater in Tehran Oil Refinery

One of the serious environmental problems that could cause irreversible ecological and economic damage to the environment is organic pollutants. Contamination with organic pollutants is a very serious issue that is of interest to the general public because in some cases, it causes serious damages to the environment, soil and water as well. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which are abbreviated as PAHs are one of the major groups of organic substances soluble in water due to the geological conditions of the region. Various methods are used to clean up polluted aquatic environments among which the use of oil absorbent material to remove different kinds of contaminants, particularly petroleum compounds and its derivatives (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) is highly regarded. PAHs absorption by the bentonite and activated carbon is considered in this research. Then, PAHs distribution coefficient and the maximum absorption have been determined according to the results using Freundlich absorption isotherms, and Langmuir isotherm. Results show that the bentonite has a high potential for PAHs absorption. Distribution coefficient (kd) and the maximum absorption are 0.005 L/g and 0.157 mg/g.