Comparative Study of Ammonium and Orthophosphate Removal Efficiency with Natural and Modified Clay-Based Materials, for Sustainable Management of Eutrophic Water Bodies

Eutrophication, a global threat that leads to degradation of freshwater and seawater aquatic ecosystems, is driven by excessive nutrient loading. This study explores the sustainable management of eutrophic water bodies with the application of natural and modified clay-based materials as a practical solution to mitigate eutrophication by removing ammonium and orthophosphate ions. Comparative analyses of six materials: natural zeolite, bentonite, and perlite, along with their modification with calcium and iron, were assessed after kinetic analysis of each material. Batch adsorption experiments were performed to evaluate the material’s performance in fresh and seawater. Fitting experimental data assessed adsorption kinetics to pseudo-second-order models. Furthermore, Langmuir isotherm models were employed to determine each material’s maximum adsorption capacity for ammonium and orthophosphate ion uptake. The results revealed that freshwater applications of modified zeolite or natural bentonite achieved better orthophosphate ion removal efficiency from seawater, whereas employing natural zeolite maximized the ammonium ion removal efficiency in freshwater bodies. Finally, orthophosphate and ammonium ion removal efficiency results for almost all materials were diminished in seawater. This research contributes valuable insights to the development of efficient and sustainable nutrient removal methodologies to remediate natural eutrophic water bodies and protect aquatic ecosystems.