Wastewater Treatment For Removal Research Articles

Effects of tourmaline on the establishment, idling, and recovery of partial nitrification: Mechanistic understanding and performance evaluation

The effects of different doses of tourmaline (Tm) on the partial nitrification (PN) system were investigated in this study. Tourmaline − Partial Nitrification sequential batch reactor (TmPNSBR) aimed to optimize the efficiency of PN for nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment. These results showed that Tm could reduce the time for PN establishment with a maximum reduction of 67.71% (Tm 8), maintained the stability of microbial community structure during the idle period, increased the ammonia oxidation rate, and promoted nitrite accumulation. Tm stimulated microorganisms to secrete more EPS (increase 7.92%–22.43% in phase I), and microorganisms adhere closely to the surface of Tm. Microbial community analysis showed that adding Tm could change the microbial community abundance and diversity, Tm increased the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) abundance (increase 7.92%–22.43% in phase I) and decreased the nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) abundance. Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt2) predicted increased content of key enzymes associated with PN and electron transport-related complexes. This study delved into the potential of Tm to mitigate environmental pollution as an efficient and environmentally friendly new material that optimizes the PN process, thereby contributing to the energy-efficient treatment of sustainable wastewater.

Assessing the effects of NapA gene overexpression on denitrification and denitrogenation in magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense MSR-1.

Previous research on Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense MSR-1 found that MSR-1 has a good denitrification nitrogen removal ability and specific application prospects in the sewage biological nitrogen removal field. Therefore, this study selected the essential denitrification gene NapA in MSR-1-wt for overexpression, and the overexpressed MSR-1-NapA was successfully constructed. Q-PCR amplification experiment and AGAR gel electrophoresis experiment proved that the relative transcription level of the NapA gene was increased by more than four times, and the denitrification ability of MSR-1-wt and MSR-1-NapA was further determined by enzyme activity experiment, denitrification experiment, and flow cytometry. The results showed that overexpression of the NapA gene increased nitrate reductase activity in MSR-1-NapA by more than four times. In the solution with a nitrate concentration of 118.33 ± 3.23mgN/L, the denitrification efficiency of MSR-1-NapA was superior to that of MSR-1-wt, significantly enhancing both the denitrification and nitrogen removal capacities of MSR-1. This indicates its greater potential for biological nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment.

Yeast-enhanced activated sludge for improved nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment: Focus on dissolved organic nitrogen degradation

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in effluent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), particularly hydrophilic DON, is usually more effective than dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in stimulating phytoplankton growth and increases the risk of eutrophication in receiving waterbodies. Proteins, amino acids, and nucleic acids, which are the main sources of DON in the effluent, are produced during the hydrolysis of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in activated sludge. Herein, a yeast strain Candida tropicalis O2, which was highly efficient in degrading DON in EPS was screened. Within 48-h batch experiments, the DON removal rates of the extracted hydrophilic and hydrophobic EPS reached 68.26% and 59.27%, respectively. During the continuous 35-day operation of sequencing batch bioreactor (SBR) fed with synthetic wastewater, the yeast-enhanced activated sludge (AS-Y) reactor demonstrated a marked improvement in removing various pollutants compared to the traditional activated sludge (AS) reactor. Specifically, DON removal increased by 1.53 mg/L (24.75%), hydrophilic DON by 1.24 mg/L (27.13%), hydrophobic DON by 0.28 mg/L (12.08%), and COD removal by 4.04 mg/L (6.48%). Although the DIN removal decreased by 0.38 mg/L (3.86%), it did not attenuate the overall TN removal from the system, and an additional TN reduction of 1.15 mg/L (7.13%) was achieved. Metagenomic analysis showed that adding strain O2 slightly inhibited the DIN metabolism, and the relative abundances of napB, nirK/S, norB/C, and nosZ involved in denitrification somewhat decreased. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes annotations revealed that adding strain O2 promoted amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. The increased relative abundance of Candida indicated that strain O2 was able to colonize the sludge in AS-Y reactor, which was conducive to synergistic interactions with other microorganisms. This study provided a novel method for in situ improving nitrogen removal in WWTP and reducing the eutrophication risk of the effluent to receiving waterbodies.

Chitosan‐Carbon Aerogel for Efficient Removal of Methylene Blue Dye: Synthesis, Characterization, Adsorption Mechanism and Antimicrobial Therapies

AbstractChitosan‐carbon aerogel was synthesized via a facile and eco‐friendly method and characterized for its structural and morphological properties. The composite exhibits remarkable adsorption kinetics and a high potential for removing Methylene Blue (MB) dye, attributed to its enhanced surface area, porous structure, and active functional groups. The adsorption capacity of chitosan‐carbon aerogel increased from 38 to 86.8 mg/g as the pH was raised from 2 to 7. The maximum MB adsorption capacity increased from 22 to 632 mg/g as the initial MB concentration increased from 25 to 2000 mg/L. The saturation adsorption capacity of the chitosan‐carbon aerogel was 668 mg/g. After five reuse cycles, the removal efficiency dropped from 89 % to 73.1 %. Antibacterial tests showed that the width of the inhibition zone for S. enterica was 16.2 ± 0.38 mm, indicating similar antibacterial activity for both chitosan and chitosan‐carbon aerogels. These findings underscore the potential of chitosan‐carbon aerogel as a sustainable and cost‐effective solution for dye removal in wastewater treatment.

Advanced electro-oxidation-adsorption process for chlorate removal from synthetic and municipal wastewater treatment effluents

This study evaluates a hybrid electro-oxidation-adsorption process for chlorate removal in wastewater treatment. Using a specialized reactor, we investigated the influence of operational parameters including current density, reaction time, granular activated carbon (GAC) dosage, electrode spacing, and pH. Optimal removal efficiency of 82.40 % was achieved under the following conditions: 75 A/m² current density, 5 min reaction time, 20 g/L GAC dosage, 2 cm electrode spacing, and a pH of 2. This method outperforms traditional adsorption and electrochemical oxidation, offering a promising solution for reducing chlorate-related environmental impacts.

Assessment of electrochemical removal mechanisms of diverse transition metal dichalcogenides for caesium ion removal in wastewater treatment

Abstract Effective treatment of radioactive wastewater is crucial for broader nuclear energy adoption, with caesium radionuclides (most exist in the form of caesium chloride) presenting challenges due to their long half-life and biological hazards. Conventional adsorbents like zeolites and carbon-based materials, including graphene, face limitations in adsorption capacity due to the formation of electric double layers (EDL). This has led to the investigation of alternatives such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) e.g., MoS2, MoSe2, and WSe2, which offer promising galleries for caesium ion removal. Aside from extensively studied MoS2, there is limited research on the adsorption mechanisms and capacities of other TMDs like MoSe2 and WSe2. Here, we conduct a comparative study examining the removal mechanisms and capacities of exfoliated MoS2, MoSe2, and WSe2 nanosheets, alongside an evaluation of these properties in relation to graphene. Our investigation reveals distinct removal mechanisms and capacities among these three materials for capturing caesium ions in a variety of mechanisms. MoS2 nanosheets primarily utilise a pseudocapacitive charge storage mechanism via intercalation, as evidenced by a total charge storage of 0.78 C g1, with only 2.6% stored via EDL formation. In contrast, MoSe2 predominantly relies on EDL formation, with almost 60% of the total 0.54 C g1 charge storage attributed to this mechanism. Lastly, WSe2 exhibits a combination of both charge storage behaviours, with a total charge storage of 0.77 C g1, of which 14% is due to EDL formation. This research highlights the potential efficacy of TMDs as viable materials for caesium removal, offering an appealing alternative to conventional adsorbents and likely fostering advancements in water treatment technologies.

Enhanced phosphorus adsorption using modified drinking water treatment residues: A comparative analysis of powder and alginate bead forms

This study provides an analysis of the phosphorus adsorption efficacy of three modified drinking water treatment residues (MDWTRs): MDWTR-P (powdered form), MDWTR-D2, and MDWTR-D5 (alginate bead-entrapped forms with bead diameters of 2 mm and 5 mm, respectively). The preparation process involved washing and drying the drinking water treatment residue, followed by grinding and sieving to achieve particle sizes below 90 μm. The residue was then incinerated at 600 °C in oxygen-limited conditions. Subsequently, the MDWTR was formulated into alginate beads by mixing with sodium alginate and FeCl3 solutions, resulting in spherical particles of specified diameters. The evaluation of surface area, pore volume, pore size, and CHN concentration revealed that MDWTR-D5 possesses the largest surface area (284.7 m2 g−1) and highest micropore volume (0.04 cm3 g−1), indicating a greater capacity for adsorption. SEM-EDS analysis demonstrated significant compositional changes post-treatment, particularly elevated phosphorus levels, confirming effective adsorption. Metal content analysis indicated high aluminum levels in MDWTR-P and increased iron content in MDWTR-D5. Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) and in vitro bioaccessibility (IVBA) tests confirmed the non-hazardous nature of all MDWTRs, ensuring their safety for environmental applications. Kinetic analyses using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion models highlighted the superior performance of MDWTR-D5, with the highest equilibrium adsorption capacity and initial adsorption rate across all tested concentrations, suggesting both high efficiency and rapid adsorption potential. Further validation using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms revealed MDWTR-D5's highest monolayer adsorption capacity (22.88 mg g−1) and Freundlich adsorption capacity parameter (6.97 mg g−1). Statistical analysis via one-way ANOVA confirmed significant differences in phosphorus concentrations among the MDWTRs samples (p-value <0.001), consistently underscoring MDWTR-D5's superior adsorption performance. These findings highlight MDWTR-D5's potential as an effective adsorbent for phosphorus removal in wastewater treatment, emphasizing its applicability in environmental remediation strategies.

Multilayered alginate–hydrogel-functionalized zeolite based on ionic cross-linking composed with a certain Ca2+ and Mg2+ ratio for ammonium adsorption

To enhance ammonium removal in wastewater treatment, a novel adsorbent, multilayered ionic cross–linked alginate–hydrogel–metal-coated zeolite (Al-H-M-Z), was synthesized. Essential divalent cations, 2.60 mmol of Ca2+ and Mg2+, were incorporated into Al-H-M-Z (10 g) in a Ca2+:Mg2+ ratio of 0.73:1.85, facilitating strong alginate–polymer interactions and significantly enhancing the adsorption efficiency. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm analyses revealed that Al-H-M-Z had a maximum adsorption capacity of 56.5 ± 8.78 mg g−1 and an adsorption intensity of 0.703 ± 0.122, which were 7.24-fold and 1.59-fold higher than those of natural zeolite (7.80 ± 1.09 mg g−1 and 0.444 ± 0.254), respectively. These enhanced properties are attributed to the modified structural and surface chemistry. The Al-H-M-Z coating exhibited a 4.76-fold increase in surface area (3.91 m2 g−1), an 8.94-fold increase in micropore volume (17.8 × 10−3 cm3 g−1), and a 4.22-fold increase in pore diameter (4.14 nm) when compared to the traditional Al-only coating. For applicability, Al-H-M-Z and Z achieved ammonium removal rates of 7.94% and 5.61%, respectively, in actual fish farm wastewater, representing a 1.41-fold improvement in adsorption efficiency after the coating process.

Utilization of macadamia nutshell-derived activated carbon for enhanced congo red adsorption

This study addresses the challenge of removing Congo red (CR) from aqueous solutions using activated carbon (AC) derived from macadamia nutshells (MNS). A unique two-step carbonization and pyrolysis process was employed to produce MNS-AC with high surface area and porosity. Key experimental variables, including initial CR concentration, contact time, and pH, were systematically varied in batch mode. Results indicated that the modified AC achieved significantly higher removal percentages compared to unmodified charcoal. At pH 2.0 and an initial dye concentration of 50 mg L−1, CR removal reached 97.48 % for MNS-AC3. The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of 58.29 mg g−1 was observed at an initial dye concentration of 200 mg L−1. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model closely matched the experimental data, and equilibrium data analysis using Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models provided excellent fits. This research demonstrates the potential of using industrial biomass waste to develop sustainable solutions for dye removal in wastewater treatment.

Crucial role of extracellular polymeric substances from anammox sludge in wastewater phosphorus recovery via magnesium phosphate crystallization

The magnesium phosphate (Mg-P) crystallization based on anaerobic ammonia oxidation is of interest for simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal in wastewater treatment due to cost-effectiveness. Understanding the role of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in crystal growth is pivotal for bio-induced Mg-P crystallization. In this work, the effects of EPS in Mg-P crystallization were thoroughly investigated. Results indicated that EPS decreased the initial crystallization rate but slightly improved the final crystallization yield. The maximum removal efficiencies of Mg and P ions increased by 2.8 % and 3.1 %, respectively, when EPS concentration was 80 mg/L. Additionally, the presence of EPS enhanced Mg3(PO4)2·10 H2O production and facilitated the formation of larger rhombic plate-like structures crystals (maximum particle size increased by 215 %). Analysis of EPS composition changes during the crystallization process and characterization of the final crystals suggested that tryptophan-like proteins preferentially involved in the Mg-P crystallization process, while β-sheet proteins potentially influencing crystal morphology. Furthermore, the formation of phosphate ester groups, hydrogen bonding, and COOH-Mg2+ complexes were considered triggering factors for the interaction between EPS and Mg-P crystals. This study elucidated the underlying mechanism of EPS on Mg-P crystallization, further enhancing the understanding of the interaction between inorganic mineralization processes and microorganisms.

Microalgae-mediated heavy metal removal in wastewater treatment: Mechanisms, influencing factors, and novel techniques

In recent years, the proliferation of industrial effluents has posed significant challenges. In comparison to traditional physical and chemical methods, biological approaches have gained prominence among researchers due to their cost-effectiveness, abundant sources, ease of operation, and minimal secondary pollution. Moreover, employing microalgae for bioremediation offers the added advantage of concurrent production of diverse sustainable resources and biofuels. Nevertheless, challenges pertaining to recovery and reaction conditions continue to impede its large-scale implementation. Thus, exploration of improved solutions, such as enhanced reaction conditions, is imperative to maximize efficiency. In this review, we elucidate the mechanisms and pivotal factors involved in the removal of heavy metals by microalgae. Notably, we highlight innovative bioreactor technologies, including immobilization carriers, modified microalgae, and symbiotic systems, as focal points of this discussion. This comprehensive overview underscores the potential of microalgae-based bioremediation and paves the way for future advancements in this critical field.

Utilization of Sidoarjo Volcanic Mud as Heterogeneous Catalyst in Persulfate Oxidation Process

Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP), such as persulfate oxidation is a promising contaminant removal agent for treating wastewater. In this study, Sidoarjo volcanic mud (VM) was applied as heterogeneous catalyst to support the persulfate oxidation process for Congo Red (CR) dye removal. The Sidoarjo volcanic mud is known to have a high iron content, making it a potential catalyst in AOP. This study was conducted under conditions of pH 2, CR 50 mg/L, and catalyst dosage 0.5 g/L and effective reaction volume of 300 mL. This experiment was conducted by comparing three types of catalysts: unmodified volcanic mud (UVM), impregnated volcanic mud (Fe-IVM), and calcined volcanic mud (CVM). The methods were carried out by comparing two methods, namely simultaneous and sequential. The obtained CR removal values for UVM, Fe-IVM, and CVM catalysts were 83.73%, 78.86%, 51.96% for simultaneous and 84.75%, 81.72%, and 87.69% for sequential method. Whereas the UVM catalyst has the highest CR removal value with a lower adsorption value of 16.89%. The production of sulfate radical analyzed by comparing the oxidation process of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. It was shown that the application of VM catalyst as heterogeneous catalyst is very promising for dye removal in wastewater treatment.

Artificial Neural Networks for Modeling Pollutant Removal in Wastewater Treatment: A Review

Artificial Neural Networks for Modeling Pollutant Removal in Wastewater Treatment: A Review

Comparing Conventional and Advanced Approaches for Heavy Metal Removal in Wastewater Treatment: An In-Depth Review Emphasizing Filter-Based Strategies.

Various industrial activities release heavy metal ions into the environment, which represent one of the major toxic pollutants owing to their severe effects on the environment, humans, and all living species. Despite several technological advances and breakthroughs, wastewater treatment remains a critical global issue. Traditional techniques are dedicated to extracting heavy metal ions from diverse wastewater origins, encompassing coagulation/flocculation, precipitation, flotation, and ion exchange. Their cost, side toxicity, or ineffectiveness often limit their large-scale use. Due to their adaptable design, simple operation, and reasonable cost, membrane filtration and adsorption have proven their efficiency in removing metals from wastewater. Recently, adsorption-based filters have appeared promising in treating water. Within this range, filters incorporating natural, synthetic, or hybrid adsorbents present an appealing alternative to conventional approaches. This review aims to list and describe the conventional and advanced wastewater treatment methods by comparing their efficiency, cost, and environmental impact. Adsorption-based filters were highlighted due to the significant advantages they can provide.

Full-Scale Demonstration of Nitrogen Removal from Mature Landfill Leachate Using a Two-Stage Partial Nitritation and Anammox Process

The excessive discharge of nitrogen leads to water eutrophication. The partial nitritation and anammox (PN/A) process is a promising technology for biological nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment. However, applying it to mature landfill leachate (MLL) faces challenges, as the toxic substances (e.g., heavy metal) within MLL inhibit the activity of anammox bacteria. Therefore, most previous studies focused on diluted, pretreated, or chemically adjusted MLL. This study demonstrated at full scale that the two-stage PN/A process can treat raw MLL. Initially, the operational issue of sludge floatation resulted in rapid biomass loss with overflow discharging, which selectively suppresses nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), promoting the achievement of nitrite accumulation. After that, the NOB suppression was self-sustained by the high in situ free ammonia concentration, i.e., 26.2 ± 15.9 mg N/L. In the subsequent anammox tank, nitrogen removal primarily occurred via the anammox process, complemented by denitrification, achieving total nitrogen removal efficiency exceeding 72%. In addition, the nitrogen removal capacity of this system was significantly influenced by temperature with the nitrogen-loading rate above 0.4 kg N/m3/d at 38 °C and approximately 0.1 kg N/m3/d at 21 °C. The optimization of system operation, such as gradually increasing MLL content, remains necessary to enhance nitrogen removal capacity further.

Sorbents utilizing h-BN micro- and nanoparticles for efficient antibiotic removal in wastewater treatment

Currently, there is a high demand for novel sorbents for wastewater treatment. Nanostructured materials are often considered as more promising sorbents compared to their microsized counterparts, which, however, requires experimental verification. In this work, two types of h-BN materials (micro- and nanosized) are compared as candidates for antibiotic sorption. The initial h-BN was in the form of microsized pellets. Nanostructurued h-BN was obtained by high energy ball milling of the initial powder. The effect of ball milling on the microstructure, morphology, chemical composition and surface chemical state was investigated by SEM, TEM, STEM, EDX, XRD, XPS, FTIR and BET techniques. Adsorption properties were studied on samples in the form of pellets and powders. Activated carbon powder was used as a reference material. The antibiotic adsorption process was studied using tetracycline and linezolid. The influence of the h-BN structure on the adsorption characteristics was elucidated using DFT calculations.

Activated Biochar from Gracilaria Edulis Seaweeds: A Novel Biosorbent for Efficient Uranium Ion Removal in Wastewater Treatment

&lt;p&gt;The biosorption of uranium ions was explored through batch studies employing activated biochar derived from Gracilaria Edulis seaweeds. A chemical synthesis approach utilizing concentrated sulfuric acid created and activated the adsorbent material. SEM and FTIR measurements were used to characterize the adsorbent material, and EDX examination validated the adsorption of contaminants. The pH of the uranium-containing solution and the other parameters of reaction time, dose of biochar, concentration of uranium ions, and solution’s temperature were adjusted, and the impact of uranium ion adsorption efficiency was investigated. The adsorption nature and its process were analyzed using various kinetic and equilibrium studies. Metal absorption by the adsorbent is endothermic, according to thermodynamic experiments. Around 93.27% of uranium, and metal ions were recovered in an elution study by adding sulfuric acid in 0.3N. In summary, this study achieved an efficiency of 91.27% for uranium ions from the aqueous solutions using Gracilaria Edulis charcoal material as the adsorbent.&lt;/p&gt;

Optimal conditions and nitrogen removal performance of aerobic denitrifier Comamonas sp. pw-6 and its bioaugmented application in synthetic domestic wastewater treatment.

To assess the possibility of using aerobic denitrification (AD) bacteria with high NO2--N accumulation for nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment, conditional optimization, as well as sole and mixed nitrogen source tests involving AD bacterium, Comamonas sp. pw-6 was performed. The results showed that the optimal carbon source, pH, C/N ratio, rotational speed, and salinity for this strain were determined to be succinate, 7, 20, 160 rpm, and 0%, respectively. Further, this strain preferentially utilized NH4+-N, NO3--N, and NO2--N, and when NO3--N was its sole nitrogen source, 92.28% of the NO3--N (150 mg·L-1) was converted to NO2--N. However, when NH4+-N and NO3--N constituted the mixed nitrogen source, NO3--N utilization by this strain was significantly lower (p < 0.05). Therefore, a strategy was proposed to combine pw-6 bacteria with traditional autotrophic nitrification to achieve the application of pw-6 bacteria in NH4+-N-containing wastewater treatment. Bioaugmented application experiments showed significantly higher NH4+-N removal (5.96 ± 0.94 mg·L-1·h-1) and lower NO3--N accumulation (2.52 ± 0.18 mg·L-1·h-1) rates (p < 0.05) than those observed for the control test. Thus, AD bacteria with high NO2--N accumulation can also be used for practical applications, providing a basis for expanding the selection range of AD strains for wastewater treatment.

Moss biomass as effective biosorbents for heavy metals in contaminated water

The study explored batch adsorption of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions using moss biomass from Barbula consanguinea and Hyophila involuta, assessing removal efficiency concerning various parameters. Both moss species showed high removal rates for Cd(II) (87 % for B. consanguinea and 89 % for H. involuta) and Pb(II) (93 % for B. consanguinea and 94 % for H. involuta) from contaminated water, reaching equilibrium within 30 min. While Cd(II) removal was pH-independent, Pb(II) removal showed pH-dependence, peaking at pH 5.0–5.5. Adsorption isotherm analysis indicated that the Langmuir, Freundlich, Elovich, Sips, and Redlich-Peterson models best described Cd(II) and Pb(II) adsorption onto both moss species (except for Cd(II) adsorption onto H. involuta), with R2 > 0.98. This confirms a heterogeneous surface with both monolayer and multilayer adsorption sites. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model confirmed chemisorption on moss biomass from both species. FTIR spectra identified major binding sites such as phenols, alkaloids, amines, alkenes, nitro compounds, and low-molecular-weight carbohydrates. EDS analysis validated the bonding of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions to the biomass surface by displacing Ca(II) ions. According to the Langmuir model, moss biomass exhibited selective adsorption, favoring Pb(II) over Cd(II). B. consanguinea showed a higher adsorption capacity than H. involuta, which is attributed to its higher negative zeta potential. This study underscores the novelty of moss biomass for heavy metal removal in wastewater treatment, highlighting its sustainability, effectiveness, cost-efficiency, versatility, and eco-friendliness.

Experimental Study on the Preparation of Lignin-Based Activated Carbon and the Adsorption Performance for Phenol.

Biomass waste and wastewater are important wastes in the process of industrialization, which need to be effectively treated and utilized. In this work, an innovative method of collaborative treatment of biomass waste and phenol-containing wastewater is proposed. Biomass waste was used to produce activated carbon (AC), and then AC was used for phenol removal in wastewater treatment. Two kinds of typical biomass waste material, namely, coconut shell and lignin, were used. Physical activation (steam activation) and chemical activation methods were compared. Results show that steam activation is an effective method for coconut shell AC production. The largest Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area was 1065 m2/g at 800 °C. Chemical activation could produce AC samples with higher BET specific surface area. The lignin AC with K2CO3 activation has the largest BET surface of 1723.8 m2/g at 800 °C. FTIR results indicated that K2CO3 activation could greatly enhance the formation of surface oxygen-containing functional groups. Both coconut shell AC and lignin AC samples show excellent performance for phenol removal. The highest phenol removal efficiency for coconut shell AC and lignin AC are 96.87% and 98.22%, respectively. Adsorption kinetic analysis show that the pseudo-first-order kinetic model is able to describe the adsorption characteristics of phenol in wastewater treatment. Recycling properties show that regeneration of lignin AC could maintain high adsorption performance for phenol.