1 research outputs found
Adsorption of humic acid from aqueous solutions onto shellfish ash: Kinetic and isotherm studies and artificial neural network modeling
Background: Natural organic matters such as humic acid react with chlorine and produce disinfection
by products such as trihalomethanes that are carcinogenic. In this study, shellfish ash was used as a novel
adsorbent for removal of humic acid.
Methods: The present study was performed under various laboratory conditions including pH,
adsorbent dose, contact time, and initial concentration of humic acid. Residual concentrations of humic
acid in the samples were determined by a UV-Vis spectrophotometer at 254 nm wavelength. Artificial
neural network (ANN) modeling studies were also performed.
Results: Elemental analysis showed that the shellfish ash was 98% pure calcium. It was indicated that
the maximum adsorption capacity was achieved in acidic conditions (pH = 3) and pHzpc was found to
be 10.3. The adsorption data followed the Langmuir model (R2 > 0.9). The adsorption of humic acid
followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic (R2 = 0.999). ANN modeling also provided the accurate
prediction of humic acid adsorption for testing data (R2 = 0.989).
Conclusion: According to the results, shellfish ash is recommended as an effective biosorbent for
removal of organic pollutants such as humic acid.
Keywords: Adsorption, Humic substances, Kinetics, Shellfish, Neural networ