Treatment of potential mine tailings via adsorption using food waste-derived activated carbons

ONLINE FIRST (pre-proof)

Authors

  • John Bediako Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finnland
  • Sebe Emese University of Miskolc
  • Brighton Emmanuel Maburutse Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
  • Eveliina Repo Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finnland

Keywords:

acid mine drainage, activated carbon, adsorption, heavy metal, wastewater treatment

Abstract

This study addresses challenges of acid mine drainages (AMDs) treatment by exploring biowaste-derived activated carbons (ACs). The study involves synthesis of ACs from food wastes and evaluation for removing heavy metals in AMDs. The AMD solutions were simulated and experiments conducted via batch adsorption. The best adsorption capacities were recorded by ZnCl2-AC, KOH-AC and NaOH-AC, with estimated equilibrium uptakes of 526.31±50.52, 26.14±0.23, 426.62±20.68, 164.24±11.54, 129.95±6.31 and 141.75±26.01 mg/g, for Hg(II), As(IV), Pb(II), Cd(II), Cu(II) and Co(II), respectively. The adsorption kinetics was faster for the smaller size metals than the larger ones. The study highlights the potential of these ACs as sustainable and effective adsorbents for mitigating the impact of mining activities on water quality. The findings may contribute valuably to the field of environmental remediation and sustainable mining.

Author Biographies

Sebe Emese, University of Miskolc

Institute of Energy, Ceramics and Polymer Technology

Brighton Emmanuel Maburutse, Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology

Department of Animal Production Sciences

Eveliina Repo, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finnland

Department of Separation Science

Downloads

Published

2025-05-13

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 1 (2025): Selected papers from ESCC2024

Section

Articles