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Modeling of sorption and transport of cadmium, copper and chromium on an agricultural soil impacted by mining activities
Author(s) -
Mosai Alseno K.,
Tutu Hlanganani
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
environmental progress and sustainable energy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.495
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1944-7450
pISSN - 1944-7442
DOI - 10.1002/ep.12897
Subject(s) - sorption , cadmium , chromium , copper , adsorption , environmental chemistry , chemistry , environmental science , metallurgy , materials science , organic chemistry
The efficiency of an agricultural soil in retaining cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and chromium (Cr) was investigated using PHREEQC geochemical modeling code. The effects of initial concentration of the elements, bed depth and pH were investigated. The modeling was based on an initial calibration in which the appropriate column parameters were determined experimentally. Simulations using PHREEQC represented the natural environment and what will happen over a long period of time. The breakthrough curves were observed earlier at high concentrations (300 mg L −1 ) than for lower concentration (100 mg L −1 ) for Cd and Cu. Shorter bed length (5 cm) gave earlier breakthroughs compared to the longer bed length (10 cm) for Cd and Cu. The model showed that Cr 3+ was oxidized to Cr 6+ , leading to the formation ofHCrO 4 –and Cr 2O 7 2 –which were not favored for adsorption. The conversion of Cu 2+ to Cu(OH) 2 at basic pH reduced the adsorption of Cu. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1901–1907, 2018