Dibutyl phthalate adsorption characteristics using three common substrates in aqueous solutions

Abstract

• DBP adsorption was tested using three kinds of substrates in constructed wetlands.

• The DBP adsorption capacity followed the order: steel slag>gravel>shell sand.

• High temperatures increased the DBP adsorption capacity in the substrates.

• DOM consistently inhibited the DBP adsorption onto steel slag and gravel.

In recent years, the presence and adverse impacts of phthalic acid esters in aquatic environments have gained increasing attention. This work investigated the adsorption behavior of a typical phthalic acid ester, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), onto steel slag, gravel, and shell sand (substrates commonly used in constructed wetlands). The influence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on DBP adsorption was investigated using humic acid as a proxy for DOM. The results demonstrated that the adsorption of DBP to three substrates reached equilibrium within 96 h, and the adsorption kinetics were well fitted by a pseudo-second-order model. The DBP adsorption isotherms were best fitted by the Langmuir adsorption model. The DBP adsorption capacity decreased in the order of steel slag>gravel>shell sand, with values of 656 mg/kg, 598 mg/kg, and 6.62 mg/kg at 25°C, respectively. DBP adsorbed to the surface of all substrates in a monolayer via an endothermic process. The DBP adsorption capacities of steel slag and gravel decreased as the DOM content increased. The DBP adsorption mechanisms to steel slag and gravel mainly involved the surface coordination of DBP with –OH or –COOH groups and electrostatic interactions. The results of this work suggest that steel slag and gravel may be ideal substrates for use in constructed wetlands to treat wastewater polluted with DBP.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Adsorption / Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) / Dissolved organic matter / Substrates

References

[1] Abdel daiem M M, Rivera-Utrilla J, Ocampo-Pérez R, Méndez-Díaz J D, Sánchez-Polo M (2012). Environmental impact of phthalic acid esters and their removal from water and sediments by different technologies: A review. Journal of Environmental Management, 109: 164–178

[2] Ádám K, Krogstad T, Vråle L, Sovik A K, Jenssen P D (2007). Phosphorus retention in the filter materials shell sand and Filtralite P (R) - Batch and column experiment with synthetic P solution and secondary wastewater. Ecological Engineering, 29(2): 200–208

[3] Ayari F, Srasra E, Trabelsi-Ayadi M (2008). Low-cost adsorbents for a dye uptake from contaminated water modeling of adsorption isotherms: The Langmuir, Freundlich and Elovich models. Surface Engineering and Applied Electrochemistry, 44(6): 489–498

[4] Chen X C, Wang Y P, Lin Q, Shi J Y, Wu W X, Chen Y X (2005). Biosorption of copper(II) and zinc(II) from aqueous solution by Pseudomonas putida CZ1. Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces, 46(2): 101–107

[5] Ding S S, Huang W, Yang S G, Mao D J, Yuan, J L, Dai Y X, Kong J J, Sun L, He H, Li S Y, Zhang L M (2018). Degradation of Azo dye direct black BN based on adsorption and microwave-induced catalytic reaction. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 12(1): 5

[6] Dong X, Ma L Q, Gress J, Harris W, Li Y (2014). Enhanced Cr(VI) reduction and As(III) oxidation in ice phase: Important role of dissolved organic matter from biochar. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 267: 62–70

[7] Engel M, Chefetz B (2016). Removal of triazine-based pollutants from water by carbon nanotubes: Impact of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and solution chemistry. Water Research, 106: 146–154

[8] Gao D W, Li Z, Wang H, Liang H (2018). An overview of phthalate acid ester pollution in China over the last decade: Environmental occurrence and human exposure. Science of the Total Environment, 645: 1400–1409

[9] Guo Y, Wang L, Kannan K (2014). Phthalates and parabens in personal care products from China: concentrations and human exposure. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 66(1): 113–119

[10] Ha M, Guan X, Wei L, Li P, Yang M, Liu C (2016). Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate inhibits testosterone level through disturbed hypothalamic-pituitary-testis axis and ERK-mediated 5a-Reductase 2. Science of the Total Environment, 563–564: 566–575

[11] Imai A, Fukushima T, Matsushige K, Kim Y H, Choi K (2002). Characterization of dissolved organic matter in effluents from wastewater treatment plants. Water Research, 36(4): 859–870

[12] Jeddi M Z, Rastkari N, Ahmadkhaniha R, Yunesian M (2016). Endocrine disruptor phthalates in bottled water: Daily exposure and health risk assessment in pregnant and lactating women. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 188(9): 534

[13] Julinová M, Slavík R (2012). Removal of phthalates from aqueous solution by different adsorbents: A short review. Journal of Environmental Management, 94(1): 13–24

[14] Kashyap D, Agarwal T (2018). Concentration and factors affecting the distribution of phthalates in the air and dust: A global scenario. Science of the Total Environment, 635: 817–827

[15] Katsikantami I, Sifakis S, Tzatzarakis M N, Vakonaki E, Kalantzi O I, Tsatsakis A M, Rizos A K (2016). A global assessment of phthalates burden and related links to health effects. Environment International, 97: 212–236

[16] Li H, Wu W, Hao X, Wang S, You M, Han X, Zhao Q, Xing B (2018). Removal of ciprofloxacin from aqueous solutions by ionic surfactant-modified carbon nanotubes. Environmental Pollution, 243(Pt A): 206–217

[17] Li Q, Xu X, Fang Y Y, Xiao R Y, Wang D H, Zhong W J (2018). The temporal changes of the concentration level of typical toxic organics in the river sediments around Beijing. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 12(6): 8

[18] Lin Y, Wang L, Li R, Hu S, Wang Y, Xue Y, Yu H, Jiao Y, Wang Y, Zhang Y (2018). How do root exudates of bok choy promote dibutyl phthalate adsorption on mollisol? Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 161: 129–136

[19] Lu T T, Xue C, Shao J H, Gu J D, Zeng Q R, Luo S (2016). Adsorption of dibutyl phthalate on Burkholderia cepacia, minerals, and their mixtures: Behaviors and mechanisms. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 114: 1–7

[20] Melián J H, Rodríguez A M, Araña J, Díaz O G, Henríquez J G (2010). Hybrid constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment and reuse in the Canary Islands. Ecological Engineering, 36(7): 891–899

[21] Meng X Z, Wang Y, Xiang N, Chen L, Liu Z, Wu B, Dai X, Zhang Y H, Xie Z, Ebinghaus R (2014). Flow of sewage sludge-borne phthalate esters (PAEs) from human release to human intake: Implication for risk assessment of sludge applied to soil. Science of the Total Environment, 476–477: 242–249

[22] Minling G, Xiaojun M, Wenhua S, Yun Q, Lin W (2015). Adsorption mechanism of di-n-butyl phthalate easter on brown soil and red soil. International Journal of Environmental of Research, 9(2): 605–612

[23] Net S, Sempéré R, Delmont A, Paluselli A, Ouddane B (2015). Occurrence, fate, behavior and ecotoxicological state of phthalates in different environmental matrices. Environmental Science & Technology, 49(7): 4019–4035

[24] Pan S Y, Adhikari R, Chen Y H, Li P, Chiang P C (2016). Integrated and innovative steel slag utilization for iron reclamation, green material production and CO₂ fixation via accelerated carbonation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 137: 617–631

[25] Planelló R, Herrero O, Martínez-Guitarte J L, Morcillo G (2011). Comparative effects of butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on the aquatic larvae of Chironomus riparius based on gene expression assays related to the endocrine system, the stress response and ribosomes. Aquatic Toxicology (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 105(1–2): 62–70

[26] Ramprasad C, Philip L (2018). Contributions of various processes to the removal of surfactants and personal care products in constructed wetland. Chemical Engineering Journal, 334: 322–333

[27] Salim C J, Liu H, Kennedy J F (2010). Comparative study of the adsorption on chitosan beads of phthalate esters and their degradation products. Carbohydrate Polymers, 81(3): 640–644

[28] Shaida M A, Dutta R K, Sen A K (2018). Removal of diethyl phthalate via adsorption on mineral rich waste coal modified with chitosan. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 261: 271–282

[29] Sun Z, Mao L, Xian Q, Yu Y, Li H, Yu H (2008). Effects of dissolved organic matter from sewage sludge on sorption of tetrabromobisphenol A by soils. Journal of Environmental Sciences-China, 20(9): 1075–1081

[30] Tang X Y, Wang S Y, Yang Y, Tao R, Dai Y V, Dan A, Li L (2015). Removal of six phthalic acid esters (PAEs) from domestic sewage by constructed wetlands. Chemical Engineering Journal, 275: 198–205

[31] Venkata Mohan S, Shailaja S, Rama Krishna M, Sarma P N (2007). Adsorptive removal of phthalate ester (Di-ethyl phthalate) from aqueous phase by activated carbon: A kinetic study. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 146(1–2): 278–282

[32] Vohla C, Koiv M, Bavor H J, Chazarenc F, Mander U (2011). Filter materials for phosphorus removal from wastewater in treatment wetlands: A review. Ecological Engineering, 37(1): 70–89

[33] Wang L, Gao X, Guo J S, Zhang W, Xu Y (2012). Adsorption of phthalate esters from aqueous solution by Mg-Al layered double hydroxide. Future Material Research and Industry Application, Pts 1 and 2, 455–456: 939

[34] Wang X H, Zhao K Y, Yang B X, Chen T, Li D Y, Wu H, Wei J F, Wu X Q (2016). Adsorption of dibutyl phthalate in aqueous solution by mesoporous calcium silicate grafted non-woven polypropylene. Chemical Engineering Journal, 306: 452–459

[35] Wen Z D, Gao D W, Li Z, Ren N Q (2013). Effects of humic acid on phthalate adsorption to vermiculite. Chemical Engineering Journal, 223: 298–303

[36] Wormuth M, Scheringer M, Vollenweider M, Hungerbühler K (2006). What are the sources of exposure to eight frequently used phthalic acid esters in Europeans? Risk Analysis, 26(3): 803–824

[37] Wu C, Zhang K, Huang X, Liu J (2016). Sorption of pharmaceuticals and personal care products to polyethylene debris. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 23(9): 8819–8826

[38] Wu D, Yun Y, Jiang L, Wu C (2018). Influence of dissolved organic matter on sorption and desorption of MCPA in ferralsol. Science of the Total Environment, 616: 1449–1456

[39] Wu Y, Si Y, Zhou D, Gao J (2015). Adsorption of diethyl phthalate ester to clay minerals. Chemosphere, 119: 690–696

[40] Xu Y F, Wang L, Li S M, Zhang W, Jing Q, Cao J H (2016). Adsorption of PAEs from aqueous solution by modified zeolites. Desalination and Water Treatment, 57(39): 18300–18313

[41] Zhang H, Fang D L, Kong Z Y, Wei J F, Wu X Q, Shen S Y, Cui W Y, Zhu Y W (2018). Enhanced adsorption of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) from aqueous solution by alkylbenzene-functionalized polypropylene nonwoven and its adsorption mechanism insight. Chemical Engineering Journal, 331: 406–415

[42] Zhang J, Liu L, Wang X, Huang Q, Tian M, Shen H (2016). Low-level environmental phthalate exposure associates with urine metabolome alteration in a Chinese male cohort. Environmental Science & Technology, 50(11): 5953–5960

[43] Zhang L, Liu J, Liu H, Wan G, Zhang S (2015). The occurrence and ecological risk assessment of phthalate esters (PAEs) in urban aquatic environments of China. Ecotoxicology (London, England), 24(5): 967–984

[44] Zheng X, Zhang B T, Teng Y (2014). Distribution of phthalate acid esters in lakes of Beijing and its relationship with anthropogenic activities. Science of the Total Environment, 476:107–113

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature