Synthesis of activated carbon cellulose lignin residue in order to reduce nitrate from aqueous solutions, case study of drinking water in Mlard city

Nitrate pollution is a pervasive and international challenge worldwide and trigger various environmental issues and negative effects on the earth. Therefore, studies and researches in the field of nitrate reduction from drinking water are crucial. The present study synthesized activated carbon from plum kernel and then the effect of activated carbon produced in reducing the concentration of nitrate in the water of wells supplying drinking water in Mallard region. In this study, a sample of activated carbon adsorbent was synthesized by pyrolysis furnace method. The structure of synthesized activated carbon was confirmed using XRD, FTIR and BET analyzes. The results showed that at 25 °C, 120 min, pH=5 and with the activated carbon 80 mg L-1, nitrate concentration can be reduced 45%. Studies in Friendlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherm models also showed that the nitrate adsorption process completely followed the Langmuir adsorption equation and the value of R2 was 85 percent. The findings of the present study showed that activated carbon synthesized from plum kernel lingocellulosic residue is an acceptable option for reducing nitrate from aqueous solutions.