Eucalyptus wood waste biochar: a green solution for fluoranthene contamination in wastewater

This study investigates the removal of fluoranthene (Flu) from vehicle-wash wastewater (VWW) using biochar (EWB) derived from eucalyptus wood waste. Analytical techniques such as surface area analysis (SAA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were employed to characterize the EWB. Optimal conditions for Flu adsorption (98.80%) were determined as 40 ppm initial concentration, 60 minutes contact time, pH 5, 60°C, and 0.4 g adsorbent dosage. The adsorption process was evaluated using kinetic models and isotherms, showing that Flu adsorption onto EWB follows a pseudo-second order kinetic model. The Langmuir isotherm provided the best fit for the experimental data. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that the adsorption process is exothermic and spontaneous, as indicated by the values of entropy (ΔS°), Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), and enthalpy (ΔH°). A comparative analysis with commercial adsorbents demonstrated the high efficacy of EWB in removing Flu from industrial wastewater, achieving over 98% efficiency.