Magnetic Porous Geopolymer: A Cheaper and Efficient Environmental Tool for Heavy Metal Sorption

Sorption of heavy metals is a crucial controller method for environmental pollution. Contamination by heavy metals is one of the most critical and discussed environmental issue nowadays that fits in the context of bioaccumulation. Some examples of these contaminants are lead, cadmium, and chromium. In order to avoid increasing the level of these contaminants in rainwater networks, the Brazilian Council of Environment (CONAMA) establishes that it is essential that industries that produce effluents remove these metals before returning the effluent to the network. Given this, a new technology is proposed for the removal of heavy metals. A magnetic nanocomposite is produced by adding maghemite nanoparticles to an aluminosilicate matrix and subjected to heavy metal-contaminated effluents to sorption through this material. In order to evaluate the efficiency of removal of heavy metals by aluminosilicates, the effluents are analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy, and the results show a 99% sorption capacity. Finally, lethality tests, using Artemia salina, are performed. The best results are from the chromium and lead absorption tests.

Automated summary

Sorption of heavy metals is an important method for controlling environmental pollution, especially in the context of bioaccumulation. A new technology utilizing a magnetic nanocomposite for heavy metal removal through sorption has been proposed in this paper, showing a 99% sorption capacity for effluents contaminated with heavy metals, with promising results in chromium and lead absorption tests.