Modelling the Dynamic Adsorption of Methyl Violet from Aqueous Solution by Posidonia oceanica (L.) Dead Leaves

Abstract

There are some endemic species which are considered to have vital importance for aquatic habitats in the Mediterranean Sea. One of these species is Posidonia oceanica(Linnaeus) Delile. Since this species return to aquatic environment from the land in its evolutionary history, it protects its terrestrial plant characteristics and therefore the P. oceanica leaves are shed seasonally. Unfortunately, the dead leaves accumulated on the beaches are burned in order to cope with this aesthetic problem. It has been suggested in the current study that the accumulated material could be used as an alternative sorbent for the dynamic removal of methyl violet in a fixed bed column system instead of being burned. Column studies were carried out at different bed height and different flow rates. The conditions consisted of 9 cm bed height and 5 mL/min flow rate was detected as the optimum conditions for methyl violet removal. Column performance was evaluated by using Thomas and Bed Depth Service Time Models. The parameters related to these models were calculated and compared to experimental data. As a result of promising adsorption capacities of this accumulated material, it might be a cost efficient adsorbent for the treatment of textile industry's effluents.