Phosphorus and potassium recovery from anaerobically digested olive mill wastewater using modified zeolite, fly ash and zeolitic fly ash: a comparative study

BACKGROUND: Nutrient recovery from wastewater is gaining attention in the frame of circular economy. In this study, Ca(OH)2-treated zeolite (CaT-Z), lignite fly ash (FA) and zeolitic fly ash (ZFA) were primarily used to adsorb phosphate phosphorus (PO4-P) from anaerobically digested olive mill wastewater (ADOMW). The simultaneous recovery of potassium (K) was also examined based on adsorption and desorption data. The fractionation of adsorbed P was determined as an important parameter for its plant availability. RESULTS: More P was adsorbed from ADOMW on ZFA and FA (up to 4.35 and 5.21 mg g−1, respectively) than on CaT-Z (2.62 mg g−1). An increased P adsorption on ZFA and FA was observed between incubation times of 7 and 14 days. The sequential desorption procedure verified the trend of P adsorption capacities and showed that the plant-available P (NaHCO3-P) amounted to 1.34, 2.34 and 1.69 mg g−1 CaT-Z, ZFA and FA, respectively. After 14 days, CaT-Z and ZFA adsorbed much more K (19.2 and 20.5 mg g−1, respectively) than FA (4.3 mg g−1). The desorption of exchangeable K confirmed this difference. Scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectrometry analyses indicated P adsorption and surface precipitation as Ca–P phases as well as K+ for Ca2+ ion exchange on the loaded adsorbents. CONCLUSIONS: ZFA was more efficient for dual adsorption combining the properties of the zeolitic fraction (enhanced K adsorption) and pristine FA (P adsorption on Ca-bearing phases). The sufficient concentrations of plant-available P and K on the three adsorbents suggest their potential use as soil amendments. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI)