Remediation of petroleum contaminated saline water using value-added adsorbents derived from waste coconut fibres

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2021-09, Vol.279, p.130562-130562, Article 130562
• Main Authors: Maia Cardoso, Célia Karina, Mattedi, Silvana, Lobato, Ana Katerine de Carvalho Lima, Andrade Moreira, Ícaro Thiago
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biosorbents; Coconut fibres; Environmental technology; Oil remediation; Petroleum
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130562

Oil spill from petrochemical industries into marine areas has resulted in severe environmental pollution. The use of natural sorbents to clean marine areas affected by petroleum contaminants is a promising approach to alleviate this problem. Therefore, this study aims at developing an technique that uses waste coconut fibres (Cocos nucifera L.) pre-treated with a "green" solvent, viz. protic ionic liquid (PIL) [2-HEA][Ac], for the remediation of oil in saline water. Conventional chemical pre-treatments (mercerisation/acetylation) and the innovative treatment (using PIL), chemical characterisation, Scanning Electron Microscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and oil sorption tests in hydrodynamic simulation on a laboratory scale were conducted. The fibres treated with PIL[2-HEA][Ac] possessed more pores and hydrophobic content than the mercerised/acetylated coconut fibres, indicating the efficiency of sorption. The average sorption of the PIL[2-HEA][Ac] fibre was 1.40 ± 0.06 g/g and that of the mercerised/acetylated fibre was 1.32 ± 0.12 g/g. Although the difference in sorption results is not significant, according to the Tukey test, fibre pre-treatment with PIL[2-HEA][Ac] is more advantageous than conventional treatments because it exhibits better average sorption results; furthermore, the synthesis procedure for PIL[2-HEA][Ac] is simple, reusable and non-toxic. Therefore, the use of these petroleum biosorbents is a technology with environmental benefits, such as the availability of the biosorbent in the form of biodegradable waste and treated with a "green" solvent, both of which can be reused. Thus, it adds value for its use in industries with a circular economy product; that are environment-friendly and economical. [Display omitted] •Average sorption of Protic Ionic Liquid [2-HEA][Ac] treated fibre was 1.40 ± 0.06.•The average sorption of the mercerised/acetylated fibre was 1.32 ± 0.12 g/g.•Protic Ionic Liquid [2-HEA][Ac] treated fibres showed more pores and hydrophobia.•Protic Ionic Liquid treated fibres are products of Circular Economy.•Protic Ionic Liquid treated biosorbents are environment-friendly.