Title:
Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) as a Sustainable Adsorbent for Textile Wastewater Reclamation
Author(s):
Elbhnsawi, Z., Aboelazayem, O., Farrag, N.M.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is an extremely invasive aquatic plant with significant environmental and socioeconomic impacts. However, its unique properties offer potential for wastewater treatment strategy specifically via adsorption. This study examines the acid activation of water hyacinth as an adsorbent for dye removal. The aquatic plant was harvested from the Nile River, processed and activated using acetic, sulfur, hydrochloric, and nitric acids. This work developed a comparative analysis between the four acids utilised for water hyacinth activation. Adsorption efficiency was assessed using methylene blue (cationic) and ponceau S (anionic) dyes. The dye removal percentage was calculated by analysing the sample absorbance before and after treatment via a spectrophotometer. It was observed that sulfuric acid activation resulted in the highest adsorption capacity with as removal efficiency of 94.5% for ponceau S and 98.7% for methylene blue, attributed to enhanced surface area and pore structure. Response surface methodology was used to model three process parameters, including adsorbent dosage, contact time and dye concentration, while maximising the adsorption capacity. The adsorption data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms. The adsorption process kinetic modelling was evaluated. The results followed pseudo-second-order models, indicating chemisorption as the predominant mechanism. This study revealed the high potential of water hyacinth-derived adsorbents as a sustainable material for wastewater treatment.
Keywords:
agricultural residues, wastewater, adsorbent, circular economy, waste valorisation
Topic:
Sustainable Resources for Decarbonising the Economy
Subtopic:
Algae and aquatic biomass production systems
Event:
33rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1DV.5.28
Pages:
248 - 249
ISBN:
978-88-89407-25-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/33rdEUBCE2025-1DV.5.28
Price:
FREE
