Fertilizer Industry Waste Research Articles

Assessment of Pollution Level of Soil Contaminated by Fertilizer Industry Waste

Assessment of Pollution Level of Soil Contaminated by Fertilizer Industry Waste

Environmental implications of phosphate-based fertilizer industrial waste and its management practices.

During the green revolution in the mid-twentieth century, the consumption of inorganic phosphorous and phosphate-based fertilizers (P-fertilizers) in the developing world skyrocketed, resulting in a proliferation of P-fertilizer industries. Phosphate-based fertilizer industries are ranked among the most environment-polluting industries. The worldwide phosphorus market, which was 68.5 million metric tons in 2020, is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5% to 81 million metric tons by 2027. The release of untreated hazardous pollutants from these fertilizer industries into the soil, water, and atmosphere has resulted in severe environmental health issues. Excessive surface runoff of phosphorus from agricultural fields and its deposition in water promote the growth of algae and macrophytes and lower dissolved oxygen concentration through eutrophication, which is detrimental to aquatic life. Fluorides (F-) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) and/or heavy metals (potentially toxic elements, PTEs) are also detected in the emissions from these fertilizer industries. The main solid waste generated from the phospho-gypsum plant produced up to 5 tons of di-hydrogen phosphate (H2PO4), including PTEs and radioactive substances. Phosphates and fluorenes from these industries are usually disposed of as sludge in storage ponds or trash piles. Humans inhaling poisonous gases released from the P-fertilizer industries can develop hepatic failure, autoimmune diseases, pulmonary disorders, and other health problems. The objectives of this review are to provide guidelines for eliminating the bottleneck pollutions that occur from the phosphate-based fertilizer industries and explore the management practices for its green development.

Possibilities of Use Fertilizer Industry Waste Gypsum Material of Improve Sodic and Boron Soils

Possibilities of Use Fertilizer Industry Waste Gypsum Material of Improve Sodic and Boron Soils

Low cost nanoparticles derived from nitrogen fertilizer industry waste for the remediation of copper contaminated soil and water

The goal of this study was to produce a novel nano-scale material from nitrogen fertilizer industry byproduct (nNFIB) and assess its capability to remediate Cu contaminated wastewater and soil. The novel nNFIB was produced using planetary mono mill and characterized. Equilibrium and kinetics studies of Cu sorption by nNFIB were performed in batch system. The effects of a variety of factors, including pH, coexisting ions and adsorption time on Cu adsorption were investigated. Furthermore, Cu sequestration mechanism onto nNFIB was investigated using sequential extraction technique and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra before and after nNFIB adsorption. The Cu sorption equilibrium and kinetics data were successfully described by Langmuir and first-order models, respectively. The calculated maximum Cu(II) adsorption capacity (qmax) of nNFIB (100 mg g−1) was four times higher than qmax of bulk NFIB. Copper removal by nNFIB was quite fast (around 86%) in the first 5 min and gradually slowed down until achieved 100% removal at equilibrium time. The FTIR spectra and Cu fractionation data in biosolid-amended soil demonstrated that Cu sequestration in contaminated water and soil is strongly related to CaCO3 of nNFIB. The overall findings show the potential use of nNFIB as a best management practice for Cu removal from wastewater and Cu stabilization in contaminated biosolid-amended soils.

Efficient removal of Cd (II) from contaminated water and soils using nanoparticles from nitrogen fertilizer industry waste.

Cadmium (Cd) is used extencively in many industries and can cause environmenal pollution and severe damage to human health. As millions of tons of lime-based solid by-product from nitrogen fertilizer industry (NFIB) are produced each year, the main purpose of this study was to develop a novel, efficient and cheap nanoscale sorbent from NFIB for remediation of Cd (II) contaminated soil and water to protect and preserve public and ecosystem health. A novel nanoscale adsorbent was developed from the nitrogen fertilizer industry byproduct (NFIB) and was characterized using X-ray diffraction(XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Batch sorption equilibrium and kinetic experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of nano- NFIB (nNFIB) in sequestering Cd(II) in contaminated soil and water. The results of adorption equilibrium and kinetics experiments revealed that Langmuir and power function models best described Cd adsorption on bulk NFIB and nNFIB as evidenced by high R2(determination coefficient) and low SE(standard error of estimates) values. The Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity (q푞max) of nNFIB for Cd(II) was 100mgg-1 which is twenty times higher than that of Bulk NFIB. The distinguishing features of NIFB nanoparticles involve efficient removal of Cd(II) from contaminated water (>90%) and enhancement of Cd (II) immobilization (146%) in cotaminated soil.Fourier Transmission Infrared (FTIR) spectra of Cd(II) contaminated water and soil before and after nNFIB application revealed the important rule of calcite nanoparticles in Cd(II) sequestration. The accessibility, low cost, and Cd sequestration efficiency of nNFIB nominate it to be an economic and a promised adsorbent for environmental remediation.

Calcium-Enriched Animal Manure Alleviates the Adverse Effects of Salt Stress on Growth, Physiology and Nutrients Homeostasis of Zea mays L.

Soil salinity and sodicity are among the main problems for optimum crop production in areas where rainfall is not enough for leaching of salts out of the rooting zone. Application of organic and Ca-based amendments have the potential to increase crop yield and productivity under saline–alkaline soil environments. Based on this hypothesis, the present study was conducted to evaluate the potential of compost, Ca-based fertilizer industry waste (Ca-FW), and Ca-fortified compost (Ca-FC) to increase growth and yield of maize under saline–sodic soil conditions. Saline–sodic soil conditions with electrical conductivity (EC) levels (1.6, 5, and 10 dS m−1) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) = 15, were developed by spiking soil with a solution containing NaCl, Na2SO4, MgSO4, and CaCl2. Results showed that soil salinity and sodicity significantly reduced plant growth, yield, physiological, and nutrient uptake parameters. However, the application of Ca-FC caused a remarkable increase in the studied parameters of maize at EC levels of 1.6, 5, and 10 dS m−1 as compared to the control. In addition, Ca-FC caused the maximum decrease in Na+/K+ ratio in shoot up to 85.1%, 71.79%, and 70.37% at EC levels of 1.6, 5, and 10 dS m−1, respectively as compared to the control treatment. Moreover, nutrient uptake (NPK) was also significantly increased with the application of Ca-FC under normal as well as saline–sodic soil conditions. It is thus inferred that the application of Ca-FC could be an effective amendment to enhance growth, yield, physiology, and nutrient uptake in maize under saline–sodic soil conditions constituting the novelty of this work.

Geochemical processes controlling the groundwater chemistry and fluoride contamination in the Yuncheng Basin, China-An area with complex hydrogeochemical conditions.

Hydrogeochemical and stable isotope analyses and geochemical modeling were carried out to identify the major geochemical processes controlling the groundwater chemistry and fluoride contamination in the aquifers of the Yuncheng Basin, China, an area with complex hydrogeochemical conditions and severe fluoride contamination of the groundwater. The major findings of this case study include the following: 1) Cation exchange and salt effects are vital controls on the enrichment of fluoride in groundwater in the area by reducing the activity of Ca2+/F- in groundwater via ion complexation. Cation exchange increased the fluoride concentration by 2.7 mg/L when the Na/Ca molar ratio increased from 0.24 to 9.0, while the salt effect led to a ca. 5–10% increase in complex F- in groundwater due to the further dissolution of fluoride-bearing minerals in the aquifers, as suggested by a model calculation. 2) Anthropogenic contamination from pesticide and fertilizer use and industrial waste discharge is also a main source of fluoride in the groundwater. 3) Evaporation and ion effects favor the enrichment of fluoride in groundwater by encouraging the removal of Ca via precipitation. 4) The desorption of fluoride from mineral/organic matter surfaces is enhanced under alkaline conditions and a high HCO3 content in groundwater.

Utilization of Activated Carbon Prepared from Aceh Coffee Grounds as Bio-sorbent for Treatment of Fertilizer Industrial Waste Water

The people of Aceh are well known as coffee drinkers. Therefore, a lot of coffee shops have been established in Aceh in the past decade. The growing of coffee shops resulting to large amounts of coffee waste produced in Aceh Province that will become solid waste if not wisely utilized. The high carbon content in coffee underlined as background of this research to be utilized those used coffee grounds as bio-sorbent. The preparation of activated carbon from coffee grounds by using carbonization method that was initially activated with HCl was expected to increase the absorption capacity. The prepared activated carbon with high reactivity was applied to adsorb nitrite, nitrate and ammonia in wastewater outlet of PT. PIM wastewater pond. Morphological structure of coffee waste was analyzed by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The result showed that the adsorption capacity of iodine was equal to 856.578 mg/g. From the characterization results, it was concluded that the activated carbon from coffee waste complied to the permitted quality standards in accordance with the quality requirements of activated carbon SNI No. 06-3730-1995. Observed from the adsorption efficiency, the bio-sorbent showed a tendency of adsorbing more ammonia than nitrite and nitrate of PT. PIM wastewater with ammonia absorption efficiency of 56%.

Trace metal contamination by phosphogypsum discharge in surface and core sediments of the Gabes coast area (SE of Tunisia)

The purpose of the present study is to ascertain the extent of the effect that phosphate fertilizer industrial waste has on the surface and bottom sediments of the Ghannouch-Gabes coast, off the Tunisian Mediterranean Sea. To achieve this, 44 surface sediments and 3 core sediments were studied for mineralogy, trace metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn), F, CaO, and SO3. For all the analyzed elements, the spatial distribution in surface sediments showed that the area located between the commercial and the fishing port of Gabes is the most polluted zone. The ranking of metal contents was found to be Zn > Cd > Cu > Pb. The vertical distribution of trace metals indicated that the highest levels were found in the uppermost segment of the sediment cores compared to the lower depth subsurface due to a continuous input of phosphogypsum (PG) release and confirmed that the area between the two harbors suffered from several types of pollutants compared to reference core C1, collected from other non-industrialized areas. This spatial and vertical distribution is probably due to the harbor piers which acted as barriers and limited the dispersion of PG discharge. The contamination factor, the geoaccumulation index, and the pollution load index were determined. The results obtained confirm the anthropogenic impact on the levels of metal, on the fluorine, calcium, and sulfate concentrations in the area, located between the commercial harbor of Ghannouch and the fishing harbor of Gabes, whereas the concentrations of elements analyzed tends to decrease on both sides of this sector. Statistical analyses (principal component analysis) showed trace metals, fluoride, sulfate, and a large amount of calcium resulting from the same anthropogenic source.

Biosorption Kinetics of Heavy Metals from Fertilizer Industrial Waste Water Using Groundnut Husk Powder as an Adsorbent

Groundnut husk (GH) was used as an adsorbent to remove Mn2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ ions from fertilizer industrial wastewater. FTIR-spectrum shows the participation of aromatic compounds (C=C), Aldehydes (C=O) and Alkenes (C=C) in adsorption due to their absence in the adsorbent after the process. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to examine the effect of adsorbent mass, pH and contact time on adsorption of Mn2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ from fertilizer industrial waste water. The results showed that Mn2+, Pb2+ and Zn2+ attained maximum percentage removal of 61.62%, 99.93% and 100% at adsorbent dose of 50g, 60g and 20g respectively. However the maximum percentage removal of Mn2+ and Pb2+ was achieved at pH 6 for 80min. while that of Zn2+ was achieved at pH 3 for 60min. Langmuir biosorption isotherm provided the best fit for sorption of Mn2+ and Pb2+ using groundnut husk as indicated by their correlation coefficient ( ) of 0.558 and 0.441 hence the process was based on a physisorption mechanism. The kinetic studies showed that the biosorption process followed the pseudo-second order reaction order. This study has demonstrated that groundnut husk can be efficiently used as low cost alternative adsorbent for remediation of Mn2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ from heavy metals contaminated wastewater.

Biosorption of Heavy Metals from Fertilizer Industrial Waste Water Using Rice Husk (RH) and Groundnut Husk (GH) Powder in a Packed Bed Bioreactor

Groundnut husk (GH) and Rice husk (RH) were used as adsorbents to remove Mn2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ ions from fertilizer industrial waste water. Continuous adsorption experiment was conducted to examine the effect of adsorbent mass, pH, temperature and adsorbent combination on adsorption of Mn2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ from fertilizer industrial waste water. The results showed that the adsorption of the metal ions was adsorbent mass, pH, and temperature dependent. The optimum adsorbent mass was 60 g, optimum pH was pH 5 and pH 6 and optimum temperature was 60°C for adsorption of heavy metal ions. The Langmuir biosorption isotherm provided the best fit for sorption of Mn2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ using groundnut husk as indicated by their correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.998, 0.676 and 0.297 while the freundlich biosorption isotherm had the best fit using rice husk as indicated by their correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.332, 0.041 and 0.556 for Mn(II), Zn(II) and Pb (II) respectively. The study also showed that groundnut husk and rice husk can be efficiently used as low cost alternative for removal of Mn2+, Zn2+ and Pb2+.

Assessment of contaminated sediment by phosphate fertilizer industrial waste using pollution indices and statistical techniques in the Gulf of Gabes (Tunisia)

On July 2010, 26 surface sediments of the Gulf of Gabes, Tunisia were sampled at depth ranging from 0.5 to 10 m. These specimens were analyzed to determine Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, F, P, and N concentrations and total organic carbon contents. The distribution map shows that the high amounts of pollutants are principally located between the commercial harbor and the fishing harbor of Gabes. Measurements of heavy metal contents were carried out using (absorption atomic spectrometer), where the enrichment factor (EF), the geoaccumulation index (Igeo), and the contamination index (CI) are determined. The EF values of all metals were >1.5, corroborate anthropogenic impact on the metal levels in this studied area. However, the Igeo and CI values of Cd and Zn elements indicated that sediments collected from sites at the vicinity of the commercial harbor are very contaminated, although for Pb, Cr, and Cu elements these indices indicated that the same sediments are uncontaminated. Statistical analyses (principal component analysis/factor analysis and matrix correlation) show that heavy metals, fluoride, and phosphorus are resulting from the same anthropogenic source.

Utilization of phosphate fertilizer industry waste for belite–ferroaluminate cement production

Phosphogypsum (PG) and pyrite cinder (PC) are phosphate fertilizer industry wastes. At present, the utilization of PG and PC is limited, their stockpiling brings about serious environmental problems. We studied the manufacturing technique for producing belite–ferroaluminate cement utilizing of PG and PC as raw materials instead of natural materials. The mechanical properties, mineral composition and microstructure of the resulting cement clinker were investigated using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld quantitative phase analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), etc. We found that burning at 1250°C for 60min was suitable for clinker production. The effect of natural gypsum (NG) content on setting time, heat evolution, compressive strength, hydration products of cements were also investigated. The results show that setting time of cement depends much on NG content. The early hydration accelerates with NG content increasing. The effect of NG content on compressive strength at different curing age is variable. NG content in cement is also an important factor in the hydration products.

Column Studies of Phenols and Dyes Removal from Aqueous Solutions Utilizing Fertilizer Industry Waste*

Column Studies of Phenols and Dyes Removal from Aqueous Solutions Utilizing Fertilizer Industry Waste*

Impact assessment of chemical fertilizer industry on quality of soil in and around Vijaipur, district Guna, M.P. (India)

A study was carried out on the impact of Chemical Fertilizer Industrial waste on the quality of soil in the vicinity. The Fertilizer Industry located at Jijaipur District Guna (M.P.) India, produce liquid ammonia and urea. All the solid waste generated are disposed off at dumpsites (Surrounding Fertilizer Plant). Teh effluent sludge and Soil sample were analysized for physio-chemical parameters viz pH values, Phosphrous, Sodium, Chromium, bulkdensity, porosity, water-holding capacity, electric conductivity, organic matter and Cation exchange capacity of soil using standard methods. The results revealed that the dumpsite sludge sample recorded very high concentration of Potassium and Calcium. The effluent samples from the outside showed lower value of Potassium and Calcium. The Soil environment around the dumpsite was the most affected the highest mean value of potash and phosphorous respectively.

Adsorption studies on the removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution using a low cost fertilizer industry waste material

Low cost fertilizer industry waste material called carbon slurry, produced in generators of fuel oil-based industrial generators, was converted into an effective and efficient adsorbent for the removal of hexavalent chromium(VI) from aqueous solutions. The waste was chemically treated, activated, characterized, and used for the adsorption of chromium. The work involves batch experiments to investigate the effect of contact time, pH, temperature, concentration, and adsorbent dose on the extent of adsorption by carbon slurry. The maximum adsorption was found at 70min, 2.0 pH, 4.0g/L dose, and 303K temperature. Maximum adsorption capacity (15.24mg/g) of Cr(VI) on carbon slurry was observed at 100mg/L initial Cr(VI) concentration. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models were applied to analyze adsorption data, and both were found to be applicable to this adsorption system, in terms of relatively high regression values. Thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption of Cr(VI) onto carbon slurry was feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic under the studied conditions. Kinetics of adsorption was found to follow the pseudo-second-order rate equation. Column studies have been carried out to compare these with the batch capacities. The recovery of Cr(VI) and chemical regeneration of the spent column have also been tried. In all, the results indicated that the adsorbent used in this work proved to be effective material for the treatment of chromium-bearing aqueous solutions.

Removal of bromophenols from water using industrial wastes as low cost adsorbents

A comparative study of the adsorbents prepared from several industrial wastes for the removal of 2-bromophenol, 4-bromophenol and 2,4-dibromophenol has been carried out. The results show that maximum adsorption on carbonaceous adsorbent prepared from fertilizer industry waste has been found to be 40.7, 170.4 and 190.2 mg g −1 for 4-bromophenol 2-bromophenol and 2,4-dibromophenol, respectively. As compared to carbonaceous adsorbent, the other three adsorbents (viz., blast furnace sludge, dust, and slag) adsorb bromophenols to a much smaller extent. This has been attributed to the carbonaceous adsorbent having a larger porosity and consequently higher surface area. The adsorption of bromophenols on this adsorbent has been studied as a function of contact time, concentration and temperature. The adsorption has been found to be endothermic, and the data conform to the Langmuir equation. The further analysis of data indicates that adsorption is a first order process. A comparative study of adsorption results with those obtained on standard activated charcoal sample shows that prepared carbonaceous adsorbent is about 45% as efficient as standard activated charcoal in removing bromophenols. To test the practical utility of this adsorbent, column operations were also carried out. The results were found satisfactory in removing bromophenols by column operations. Therefore, the present investigations recommend the use of carbon slurry waste as inexpensive adsorbent for small scale industries of developing/poor countries where disposal of solid waste of various industries and proper treatment of polluted wastewater is a serious problem.

Removal of Lead Ions from Aqueous Solutions by Different Types of Industrial Waste Materials: Equilibrium and Kinetic Studies

A comparative study of the adsorbents prepared from several industrial wastes for the removal of Pb2+ has been carried out. Fertilizer industry waste viz. carbon slurry and steel plant wastes viz. blast furnace (B.F.) slag, dust, and sludge were investigated as low‐cost adsorbents after proper treatment in the present study. The adsorption of Pb2+ on different adsorbents has been found in the order: B.F. sludge>B.F. dust>B.F. slag>carbonaceous adsorbent. The least adsorption of Pb2+ on carbonaceous adsorbent even having high porosity and consequently greater surface area as compared to other three adsorbents, indicates that surface area and porosity are not important factors for Pb2+ removal from aqueous solutions. The adsorption of Pb2+ has been studied as a function of contact time, concentration, and temperature. The adsorption has been found to be exothermic, and the data conform to the Langmuir equation. The kinetic results reveal that the present adsorption system follows Lagergren's first order rate equation. Since all three waste products from the steel industry show higher potential to remove lead from water, therefore, it is suggested that these metallurgical wastes can be fruitfully employed as low‐cost adsorbents for effluent treatment containing toxic metal ions.

Adsorption of 2,4-D and carbofuran pesticides using fertilizer and steel industry wastes

The removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and carbofuran from aqueous solution was studied by using fertilizer industry waste (carbon slurry) and steel industry wastes (blast furnace slag, dust, and sludge) as adsorbents in batch. Adsorption was found to be in decreasing order: carbon slurry, blast furnace sludge, dust, and slag, respectively. Carbonaceous adsorbent prepared from carbon slurry exhibited the uptake capacity of 212 and 208 mg g −1 for 2,4-D and carbofuran, respectively at 25 °C and pH 7.5. Adsorption equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics were investigated as a function of initial pH, temperature, and pesticide concentrations. Equilibrium data fitted well to the Langmuir equilibrium model in the studied concentration range of 2,4-D and carbofuran at all the temperatures studied. Two simplified models, including pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, were used to test the adsorption kinetics. Adsorption of 2,4-D and carbofuran on carbon slurry at 25, 35, and 45 °C could be best fitted in the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Pore diffusion was confirmed as the essential rate-controlling step with the help of Bangham's equation.

Column Studies of Phenols and Dyes Removal from Aqueous Solutions Utilizing Fertilizer Industry Waste

Column Studies of Phenols and Dyes Removal from Aqueous Solutions Utilizing Fertilizer Industry Waste