Municipal solid waste-derived biochar for the removal of benzene from landfill leachate.

The potential of biochar, produced from fibrous organic fractions of municipal solid waste (MSW), for remediation of benzene, one of the frequently found toxic volatile organic compounds in landfill leachate, was investigated in this study based on various environmental conditions such as varying pH, benzene concentration, temperature and time. At the same time, landfill leachate quality parameters were assessed at two different dump sites in Sri Lanka: Gohagoda and Kurunegala. MSW biochar (MSW-BC) was produced by slow temperature pyrolysis at 450 °C, and the physiochemical characteristics of the MSW-BC were characterized.

Isolation, purification and analysis of dissolved organic carbon from Gohagoda uncontrolled open dumpsite leachate, Sri Lanka.

Extract and analysis of the Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) fractions were analyzed from the leachate of an uncontrolled dumpsite at Gohagoda, Sri Lanka. DOC fractions, humic acid (HA), fulvic acid (FA) and the hydrophilic (Hyd) fractions were isolated and purified with the resin techniques. Spectroscopic techniques and elemental analysis were performed to characterize DOCs.

Insights into aqueous carbofuran removal by modified and non-modified rice husk biochars.

Biochar has been considered as a potential sorbent for removal of frequently detected pesticides in water. In the present study, modified and non-modified rice husk biochars were used for aqueous carbofuran removal. Rice husk biochars were produced at 300, 500, and 700 °C in slow pyrolysis and further exposed to steam activation.

Iodine in commercial edible iodized salts and assessment of iodine exposure in Sri Lanka.

Background: Iodine is an essential micronutrient used by the thyroid gland in the production of thyroid hormones. Both excessive and insufficient iodine intakes can cause thyroid diseases thus harmful to the human body. Inadequate iodine intake by human body causes Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) and hypothyroidism.

Kinetics, thermodynamics and mechanistic studies of carbofuran removal using biochars from tea waste and rice husks.

This study reports the thermodynamic application and non-linear kinetic models in order to postulate the mechanisms and compare the carbofuran adsorption behavior onto rice husk and tea waste derived biochars. Locally available rice husk and infused tea waste biochars were produced at 700 °C. Biochars were characterized by using proximate, ultimate and surface characterization methods.