Skip to main content
Log in

Preparation of Clay/Biochar Composite Adsorption Particle and Performance for Ammonia Nitrogen Removal from Aqueous Solution

  • Published:
Journal of Ocean University of China Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study aimed to present a novel clay/biochar composite adsorption particle, which made from abandoned reed straw and clay to remove ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) from micro-contaminated water. The removal performance of NH4+-N by composite adsorption particle was monitored under different raw material proportions and initial NH4+-N concentration. Besides, adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherms were investigated to reveal the adsorption mechanisms. The results showed that NH4+-N was effectively removed under optimal proportion of biochar, foaming agent and crosslinker with 20%, 3%, and 3%, respectively. The optimal contact time was 150 min and the best removal efficiency was 88.6% at initial NH4+-N concentration of 20 mg L−1. The adsorption performance was well described by the second order kinetic model and Freundlich model. The novel clay/biochar composite adsorption particle in this study demonstrated a high potential for NH4+-N removal from surface water.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Almeida, C. A. P., Debacher, N. A., Downs, A. J., Cottet, L., and Mello, C. A. D., 2009. Removal of methylene blue from colored effluents by adsorption on montmorillonite clay. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 332 (1): 46–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • An, S. W., Jeong, Y. C., Cho, H. H., and Park, J. W., 2016. Adsorption of NH4+-N and E. coli onto Mg2+-modified zeolites. Environmental Earth Sciences, 75 (5): 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayoob, S., Gupta, A. K., Bhakat, P. B., and Bhat, V. T., 2008. Investigations on the kinetics and mechanisms of sorptive removal of fluoride from water using alumina cement granules. Chemical Engineering Journal, 140 (1): 6–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonmati, A., and Flotats, X., 2003. Air stripping of ammonia from pig slurry: Characterisation and feasibility as a pre-or post-treatment to mesophilic anaerobic digestion. Waste Management, 23 (3): 261–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boopathy, R., Karthikeyan, S., Mandal, A. B., and Sekaran, G., 2013. Adsorption of ammonium ion by coconut shell-activated carbon from aqueous solution: Kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic studies. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 20 (1): 533–542.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boufatit, M., Ait-Amar, H., and McWhinnie, W. R., 2007. Development of an Algerian material montmorillonite clay. Adsorption of phenol, 2-dichlorophenol and 2, 4, 6-trichlorophenol from aqueous solutions onto montmorillonite exchanged with transition metal complexes. Desalination, 206(1): 394–406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bruemmer, G. W., Gerth, J., and Tiller, K. G., 1988. Reaction kinetics of the adsorption and desorption of nickel, zinc and cadmium by goethite. I. Adsorption and diffusion of metals. Journal of Soil Science, 39 (1): 37–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, G. Q., Li, N. N., Fu, X. S., and Zhou, W. L., 2012. Preparation and characterization of a sodium polyacrylate/sodium silicate binder used in oxidation resistant coating for titanium alloy at high temperature. Powder Technology, 230: 134–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gai, X., Wang, H., Liu, J., Zhai, L., Liu, S., Ren, T., and Liu, H., 2014. Effects of feedstock and pyrolysis temperature on biochar adsorption of ammonium and nitrate. PLoS One, 9 (12): e113888.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hina, K., Hedley, M., Camps-Arbestain, M., and Hanly, J., 2015. Comparison of pine bark, biochar and zeolite as sorbents for NH4+-N removal from water. CLEAN–Soil, Air, Water, 43: 86–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ho, Y. S., and McKay, G., 1999. Pseudo-second order model for sorption processes. Process Biochemistry, 34 (5): 451–465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, X., Bai, J., Li, K., Zhao, Y. G., Tian, W. J., and Dang, J. J., 2017. Characteristics of two novel cold-and salt-tolerant ammonia-oxidizing bacteria from Liaohe Estuarine Wetland. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 114 (1): 192–200.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ji, M., Su, X., Zhao, Y., Qi, W., Wang, Y., Chen, G., and Zhang, Z., 2015. Effective adsorption of Cr(VI) on mesoporous Fe-functionalized Akadama clay: Optimization, selectivity, and mechanism. Applied Surface Science, 344: 128–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kasozi, G. N., Zimmerman, A. R., Nkedi-Kizza, P., and Gao, B., 2010. Catechol and humic acid sorption onto a range of laboratory- produced black carbons (biochars). Environmental Science & Technology, 44 (16): 6189–6195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kizito, S., Wu, S., Kirui, W. K., Lei, M., Lu, Q., Bah, H., and Dong, R., 2015. Evaluation of slow pyrolyzed wood and rice husks biochar for adsorption of ammonium nitrogen from piggery manure anaerobic digestate slurry. Science of the Total Environment, 505: 102–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, Q., Ishikawa, T., Akoh, R., Yang, F., and Zhang, S., 2016. Soil salinity reduction by river water irrigation in a reed field: A case study in Shuangtai Estuary Wetland, northeast China. Ecological Engineering, 89: 32–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Long, X. L., Cheng, H., Xin, Z. L., Xiao, W. D., Li, W., and Yuan, W. K., 2008. Adsorption of ammonia on activated carbon from aqueous solutions. Environmental Progress, 27 (2): 225–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohan, D., and Singh, K. P., 2002. Single and multi-component adsorption of cadmium and zinc using activated carbon derived from bagasse An agricultural waste. Water Research, 36 (9): 2304–2318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nidheese, P. V., Gandhimathi, R., Ramesh, S. T., and Singh, T. S. A., 2012. Kinetic analysis of crystal violet adsorption on to bottom ash. Turkish Journal of Engineering and Environmental Sciences, 36 (3): 249–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Özcan, A., Ömeroglu, C., Erdogan, Y., and Özcan, A. S., 2007. Modification of bentonite with a cationic surfactant: An adsorption study of textile dye Reactive Blue 19. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 140 (1): 173–179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, S. H., Padhye, L. P., Wang, P., Cho, M., Kim, J. H., and Huang, C. H., 2015. N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) formation potential of amine-based water treatment polymers: Effects of in situ chloramination, breakpoint chlorination, and pre-oxidation. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 282: 133–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qi, X., Liu, M., Chen, Z., Zhang, F., and Zhao, L., 2010. Preparation and properties of macroporous superabsorbent composite. Polymers for Advanced Technologies, 21 (3): 196–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qu, B. C., Zhou, J. T., Xiang, X. M., Zheng, C. L., Zhao, H. X., and Zhou, X. B., 2008. Adsorption behavior of Azo Dye CI Acid Red 14 in aqueous solution on surface soils. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 20 (6): 704–709.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rožic, M., Cerjan-Stefanovic, Š., Kurajica, S., Vancina, V., and Hodžic, E., 2000. Ammoniacal nitrogen removal from water by treatment with clays and zeolites. Water Research, 34 (14): 3675–3681.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharifnia, S., Khadivi, M. A., Shojaeimehr, T., and Shavisi, Y., 2016. Characterization, isotherm and kinetic studies for ammonium ion adsorption by light expanded clay aggregate (LECA). Journal of Saudi Chemical Society, 20: S342–S351.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sparrevik, M., Field, J. L., Martinsen, V., Breedveld, G. D., and Cornelissen, G., 2013. Life cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental impact of biochar implementation in conservation agriculture in Zambia. Environmental Science & Technology, 47 (3): 1206–1215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taghizadeh-Toosi, A., Clough, T. J., Sherlock, R. R., and Condron, L. M., 2012. Biochar adsorbed ammonia is bioavailable. Plant and Soil, 350 (1-2): 57–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thornton, A., Pearce, P., and Parsons, S. A., 2007. Ammonium removal from digested sludge liquors using ion exchange. Water Research, 41 (2): 433–439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ugurlu, M., and Karaoglu, M. H., 2011. Adsorption of ammonium from an aqueous solution by fly ash and sepiolite: Isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic analysis. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 139 (1): 173–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, C., Lu, H., Dong, D., Deng, H., Strong, P. J., Wang, H., and Wu, W., 2013. Insight into the effects of biochar on manure composting: Evidence supporting the relationship between N2O emission and denitrifying community. Environmental Science & Technology, 47 (13): 7341–7349.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, N., Wang, Y. F., Omer, A. M., and Ouyang, X. K., 2017. Fabrication of novel surface-imprinted magnetic graphene oxide-grafted cellulose nanocrystals for selective extraction and fast adsorption of fluoroquinolones from water. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 409 (28): 6643–6653.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y., Tian, W., Wu, C., Bai, J., and Zhao, Y., 2016. Synthesis of coal cinder balls and its application for CODCr and ammonia nitrogen removal from aqueous solution. Desalination and Water Treatment, 57 (46): 21781–21793.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, F. C., Tseng, R. L., and Juang, R. S., 2009. Initial behavior of intraparticle diffusion model used in the description of adsorption kinetics. Chemical Engineering Journal, 153 (1): 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, Y., Si, Y., Zhou, D., and Gao, J., 2015. Adsorption of diethyl phthalate ester to clay minerals. Chemosphere, 119: 690–696.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xing, B., Pignatello, J. J., and Gigliotti, B., 1996. Competitive sorption between atrazine and other organic compounds in soils and model sorbents. Environmental Science & Technology, 30 (8): 2432–2440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yan, Q. Z., Lu, G. D., Zhang, W. F., Ma, X. H., and Ge, C. C., 2007. Frontal polymerization synthesis of monolithic macroporous polymers. Advanced Functional Materials, 17 (16): 3355–3362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yao, Y., Gao, B., Fang, J., Zhang, M., Chen, H., Zhou, Y. M., Creamer, A. E., Sun, Y. N., and Yang, L. Y., 2014. Characterization and environmental applications of clay-biochar composites. Chemical Engineering Journal, 242: 136–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yao, Y., Gao, B., Zhang, M., Inyang, M., and Zimmerman, A. R., 2012. Effect of biochar amendment on sorption and leaching of nitrate, ammonium, and phosphate in a sandy soil. Chemosphere, 89 (11): 1467–1471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, H., Han, L., Ma, H., Zheng, Y., Zhang, H., Liu, D., and Liang, S., 2008. Adsorption characteristics of ammonium ion by zeolite 13X. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 158 (2): 577–584.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, K., Fu, H., Zhang, J., Lv, X., Tang, J., and Xu, X., 2012. Studies on removal of NH4+-N from aqueous solution by using the activated carbons derived from rice husk. Biomass and Bioenergy, 43: 18–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Major Project of Water Pollution Control and Management Technology in China (No. 2013ZX07202-007), the Shenzhen Science and Technology Project (No. GRCK2017042116092660), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51308066).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kuiran Li.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Huang, X., Bai, J., Li, K. et al. Preparation of Clay/Biochar Composite Adsorption Particle and Performance for Ammonia Nitrogen Removal from Aqueous Solution. J. Ocean Univ. China 19, 729–739 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-020-4150-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-020-4150-9

Key words

Navigation