The Ability of Azollaand Lemna Minor Biomassfor Adsorption of Phenol Fromaqueous Solutions

Background and

The presence of phenol and its derivatives in water and wastewater are of major concern because of their toxicity and threat to human life and environment. The aim of this study was determination of the modified lemna minor and azolla in phenol adsorption.

In this emperical-lab study, the washed lemna minor and azolla was used as adsorbents. The effect of vatious parameters on adsorbents performance was investigated. The concentration of phenol was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Also, data were fitted with variety isotherm and kinetic models.

The phenol adsorption rate increased by increasing of contact time and adsorbent dose in both adsorbents; however, the phenol adsorption per each gram of adsorbents (qe) decreased. The adsorption efficieny increased by decreasing intial phenol concentration. With increasing of solution pH, removal efficiency decreased and optimum pH was 3. Adsorption isotherm data showed that the phenol sorption followed the Langmuir. Kinetics of sorption was well described by pseudo-second order model.

The lemna minor and azolla can be used as effective and low-cost adsorbents to organic compounds removal from industrial effluents. Although due to adventages such as more plenty and higher ability in phenol removal, the azolla is the best adsorbnet.