Adsorption/bioadsorption of phthalic acid, an organic micropollutant present in landfill leachates, on activated carbons

This study investigated the adsorption of phthalic acid (PA) in aqueous phase on two activated carbons with different chemical natures, analyzing the influence of: solution pH, ionic strength, water matrix (ultrapure water, ground water, surface water, and wastewater), the presence of microorganisms in the medium, and the type of regime (static and dynamic). The activated carbons used had a high adsorption capacity (242.9 mg/g and 274.5 mg/g), which is enhanced with their phenolic groups content. The solution pH had a major effect on PA adsorption on activated carbon; this process is favored at acidic pHs. PA adsorption was not affected by the presence of electrolytes (ionic strength) in solution, but was enhanced by the presence of microorganisms (bacteria) due to their adsorption on the carbon, which led up to an increase in the activated carbon surface hydrophobicity. PA removal varies as a function of the water type, increasing in the order: ground water < surface water ultrapure water similar or equal to wastewater. The effectiveness of PA adsorption was lower in dynamic than in static regime due to the shorter adsorbent-adsorbate contact time in dynamic regime. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.