Sawdust, a promising biosorbent to phosphorous: studies in microcosms

Abstract

The availability of good quality water is fundamental for the development of a country, so the recovery of water bodies is essential for this to occur. However, various anthropic activities have caused serious problems for aquatic environments, and eutrophication, caused mainly by artificial enrichment of nutrients, especially phosphorus and nitrogen, is one of those responsible for the degradation of the quality of water bodies. There are currently two contrasting scenarios: an excessive presence of phosphorus in aquatic ecosystems and other of depletion of phosphate rock deposits (finite resource), which poses a risk to both water security as global food. In this context, the development of technologies aimed at recovering phosphorus contained in these compartments is of fundamental importance. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the phosphorus removal of the water column, and the adsorption of phosphorus in the sawdust. The experiments will be conducted in microcosms assembled with water and sediment samples from Barra Bonita reservoir. During the incubation time, several variables (physicochemical and chemical) will be monitored in the water column and interstitial water. At the conclusion of this project it is intended to establish a technique for phosphorus removal of aquatic environments. (AU)