Ammonium and Phosphate Removal from Aqueous Solutions by Zeolite and Gravel: Kinetics and Adsorption Isotherms
Source abstract
Abstract
Although constructed wetlands (CWs) are a viable solution for wastewater treatment, substrate selection significantly affects their performance. This study evaluated the adsorption behavior of ammonium and orthophosphate on natural zeolite (coarse- and fine-grained) and coarse gravel using kinetic and isotherm experiments. Coarse materials are intended for use as filler media in CWs to address problems such as clogging. Ammonium removal due to adsorption reached 96.20% and 96.49% for coarse and fine zeolite, respectively, and 16.84% for gravel. For orthophosphate, the removal was 11.46% and 12.81% for coarse and fine zeolite, respectively, and 6.70% for gravel. Kinetic analysis showed that the adsorption of both nutrients followed the pseudo-second-order model. Zeolite exhibited high ammonium adsorption capacities (181.87 and 174.23 mg/kg), with granulometry showing minimal effect. The orthophosphate adsorption capacities were lower (11.76 and 12.35 mg/kg for zeolite; 6.44 mg/kg for gravel). Isotherm modeling indicated that ammonium adsorption fitted better to the Langmuir model (monolayer adsorption), while orthophosphate followed the Freundlich model (heterogeneous surface adsorption). Ζeolite adsorbed six times more ammonium and twice as much phosphate as gravel. These findings suggest that natural zeolite is an effective and sustainable CW substrate, enhancing nutrient removal and serving as an economical and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional filler media.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Phosphorus and nutrient management · Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment · Wastewater Treatment and Reuse
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Laboratory of Ecological Engineering and Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, 67100 Xanthi, Greece
Laboratory of Agricultural Pharmacology and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Agricultural Development, Democritus University of Thrace, 193 Pantazidou, 68200 Orestias, Greece
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