SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

Background: The recovery of any valuable component from dolomite as a double carbonate mineral depends on its dissolution efficiency. Aim: This study aimed to optimize and provide a simplified novel approach to the kinetics of dolomite dissolution in sulphuric acid solution using the Box-Behnken experimental design. Methods: The dolomite sample was dissolved in a sulphuric acid solution at seventeen different experimental conditions. The residue containing impurities was removed via filtration, while precipitation was carried out at the optimum conditions. Results and Discussion: The relationship between the independent and dependent variables best fits into the two-factor interaction model with a coefficient of determination of 0.9492, adjusted R² of 0.9187, and predicted R² of 0.7514. The total residual sum of 3x10^-13 and adequate precision of 18.769 show that the predicted dissolution efficiency is much closer to the experimental values. The analysis of variance revealed that the individual effect of acid concentration, temperature, and dissolution time all positively contribute to the dissolution. The interactive effect of acid concentration with temperature and the interactive effect of temperature with dissolution time also positively influences the dissolution efficiency. Following the dissolution of dolomite in sulphuric acid, a white precipitate was formed at room temperature, which dissolved back at a temperature of 70 oC, agitation speed of 900 revolutions per minute, and within 10 minutes. A predictive approach using a two-factor interactive model was applied to generate the kinetic data. Conclusions: The established model equation is suitable for predicting dolomite dissolution in sulphuric acid. The application of the shrinking core model to the generated data shows that the reaction between dolomite and sulphuric acid is film diffusion control with a first-order reaction (0.6587) and activation energy of 27.5 KJmol-1k-1.

Background: Due to population growth and increased use of water resources, there has been a need to implement management measures to control and monitor river parameters. Aims: This study aims to demonstrate the application of mathematical modeling using the QUAL-UFMG model for studying nitrogen concentration in the Paraíba do Sul River located in Volta Redonda. Methods: Through mathematical modeling, it is possible to identify areas of greater impact, evaluate the effectiveness of control measures, and propose a strategy to improve water quality and preserve the balance of local aquatic ecosystems. Results: The results obtained during the study showed that the nitrogen parameters and their derivatives are within the pre-established limits set by CONAMA. Discussion: During the modeling, it was observed that there is a tendency for nitrate levels to increase along the points, indicating good self-purification of the river. Organic nitrogen values increase along the points, which is due to the contribution of sewage discharge along the course of the river, as organic nitrogen and ammonia have a physiological origin in domestic sewage. Conclusions: Through the QUAL-UFMG model, it was possible to validate the conducted analyses and create future projections of the water quality in the Paraíba do Sul River along the studied points.

Background: Industrial wastewater contains pollutants that are detrimental to human health in varied proportions. Among the pollutants are heavy metals, including Zn2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ found in a characterized pharmaceutical wastewater. Several techniques have been proposed for the heavy metal sequester. However, they are with attendant challenges. The adsorption techniques using clay-metal oxide modified adsorbent/composite such as silver-clay adsorbent is considered suitable for an effective sequestering process. Aims: To develop and characterize Ag/clay adsorbent for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment. Methods: The Ag nanoparticles were synthesized using Parkia biglobossa aqueous leaves extract in an optimization study. The raw clay was beneficiated and doped with silver nanoparticles via the wet impregnation method. The silver-clay adsorbent was characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDS characterization tools. The developed adsorbent was used for the batch adsorption process of the heavy metal ion removal from the wastewater. Results and Discussion: The phytochemical analysis and FTIR results of the P. biglobosa showed that the leaf contains phenol, tannin, and flavonoids which acts as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agent required for synthesizing the silver nanoparticles. The prepared silver nanoparticles modified clay adsorbent Ag/clay, have evenly distributed stacks of pseudo-hexagonal plates, are rich in silica, possess silver nanoparticles in the frameworks, and contain functional groups suitable for binding heavy metals. The adsorptions of Zn2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ from pharmaceutical wastewater onto the silver-modified clay were studied as a function of adsorbent dosage and contact time. The percentage removal results obtained showed that the adsorbent had up to 99.96%, 99.5%, and 99.44% removal efficiency for Zn2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+, respectively, which are better compared with previous studies. The adsorption process was feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic, with Langmuir and Pseudo-second-order models as best fits for the process. Conclusions: The adsorption of selected heavy metal ions onto the green synthesized silver-modified clay adsorbent (Ag/clay) was feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic in the order Zn2+>Pb2+>Cu2+ with Langmuir and Pseudo-second-order model best fitted for the process. These show that the synthesized silver oxide nanoparticles supported on local clay can be used as a potentially low-cost adsorbent to remove heavy metal ions from industrial wastewater.