Application of natural organic residue to remove sulfanilamide in an aquatic environment

Abstract

Sulfanilamide is a contaminant widely used and found in waters and soils. The development of strategies to remedy environments contaminated by sulfanilamide using natural materials of low cost and easy to obtain is of scientific relevance, economic and social interest. In this context, the study of the interaction between sulfonamide and natural organic matter residue, including the application in real systems aiming at environmental remediation was the main objective of this paper. Natural organic residues (NOR) with different levels of organic matter were evaluated (NORA and NORM). The equilibrium time between natural organic residues and sulfanilamides was approximately 25 min, and the complexation capacities of NORs (NORA and NORM) by sulfanilamide were 11.11 and 117.00 mg g−1 of NOR, respectively. The application of NOR in real systems showed the high retention of sulfanilamide in natural waters (NORA 4.92 mg g−1 and NORM 50.10 mg g−1). The evaluation of NOR reuse showed great potential for application of this material in contaminated aquatic environments associated with ease of extraction and low impact on the environment where it is applied.