Attapulgite as an eco-friendly adsorbent in the treatment of real radioactive wastewater

Operators cannot ignore the radiation hazards arising from nuclear weapons. In this study, batch adsorption experiments were investigated to remove the radioactive isotope Cs-137 from the real radioactive wastewater. The attapulgite natural clay mineral was characterized and adopted as an adsorbent in a batch adsorption system. Equilibrium was reached after 2 h with a Cs-137 removal efficiency of 97% for attapulgite. The kinetics of Cs-137 adsorption on the attapulgite clay surface were evaluated. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model produced an excellent fit with the experimental kinetic data for attapulgite, indicating that attapulgite was the best adsorption medium.

Automated summary

Operators must pay attention to the radiation hazards from nuclear weapons. This study investigated batch adsorption experiments to remove the radioactive isotope Cs-137 from real radioactive wastewater. Attapulgite natural clay mineral was characterized and used as an adsorbent in a batch adsorption system. After 2 hours, equilibrium was reached with a 97% removal efficiency of Cs-137 for attapulgite. The kinetics of Cs-137 adsorption on the attapulgite clay surface were evaluated and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model provided an excellent fit, indicating attapulgite as the best adsorption medium.