Evaluation of specific capacity of poultry litter in heavy metal sorption

Abstract

AbstractThe article highlights sorptive properties of poultry litter. Preliminary studies on sorption of Cd2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Zn2+ ions at the concentration range of 1–1000 mg L-1 were carried out. Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to determine the potential capacities of the poultry litter. Sorption parameter outcome from isotherms exhibited the following order: Pb > Cd > Cu > Zn > Ni. During the batch adsorption experiment, a decrease of the absorbance of solutions in the UV-Vis range was observed, proportional to the increase in the concentration of metals in the solutions. This phenomenon was associated with the precipitation of complexes of fulvic/humic-like compounds and uric acid with metals. The decrease in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration confirmed previous assumptions. The FT-IR spectroscopy showed significant role of uric acid in Cd2+, Pb2+, Zn2+ sorption. FT-IR measurements allowed determining the type of active sites involved in sorption, especially carboxylic groups. The findings should be helpful in soil reclamation practices with poultry litter.