Abstract

Aims: Phosphorous (P) is one of the military wastewater pollutants which has a key role in water resource eutrophication. The aim of this study was to analyze the kinetics and thermodynamics of the P adsorption by using bone charcoal (BC). Methods: BC was prepared in 400°C and 2 h and pulverized via ASTM standard sieves in the range of 35-100 mesh. The structure of BC was analyzed using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM). The concentration of P was analyzed by spectrophotometer methods. Analysis of data was performed with pseudo first -order and pseudo second -order kinetic models, Langmuir, Freundlich, Elovich and Dubinin-Radushkovich (D-R) models. Results: The main component of BC is calcium hydroxyl apatite. The adsorption of P for the preliminary concentrations of 10 and 20 mg/l complies with the pseudo first- order kinetic model but for 50 and 100 mg/l complies with the pseudo second-order kinetic model. The energy of the adsorption reaction is 6.24 J/mol°K which implies physical sorption. Based on the Langmuir model the adsorption capacity is 13.2 mg/g. Conclusion: Based on the BC adsorption capacity for P removal, it can be said that this absorbent could be utilized for the elimination of phosphorous and similar pollutants from water and wastewater. © 2015, Bagiatallah University of Medical Science. All rights reserved.