Removing Antibiotics from Water Using Activated Carbon from Cupuaçu Bark
Author Information
Author(s): do Nascimento Rafael Alves, Novaes Nilson dos Reis de Oliveira, Morilla Demetrius Pereira, da Luz Patricia Teresa Souza, Costa Cristiane Maria Leal, de Faria Lênio José Guerreiro
Primary Institution: Federal University of Pará
Hypothesis
Can activated carbon derived from cupuaçu bark effectively remove ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin from aqueous solutions?
Conclusion
The study found that activated carbon from cupuaçu bark is an effective and low-cost adsorbent for removing ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin from water.
Supporting Evidence
- Cupuaçu bark showed a 50.22% yield and a high specific surface area of 1335.66 m2/g.
- Adsorption was most effective at pH 5.0 due to electrostatic interactions.
- Optimal conditions yielded adsorption capacities of 6.02 mg/g for ciprofloxacin and 5.70 mg/g for norfloxacin.
- The study demonstrated that activated carbon from cupuaçu bark is a sustainable option for treating antibiotic-contaminated water.
Takeaway
This study shows that we can use leftover cupuaçu bark to make a special kind of charcoal that helps clean dirty water by removing harmful antibiotics.
Methodology
The study used adsorption experiments designed with the Box–Behnken design to assess the effects of contact time, adsorbate concentration, and adsorbent dosage on removal efficiency.
Limitations
The adsorption efficiency decreased below 50% after two cycles of regeneration.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website