Removal of 2,4-D in water samples by adsorption in fixed beds of granular activated carbon on reduced scale

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess by means of rapid tests of small-scale column the adsorption capacity of granular activated carbon (GAC) for removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) from samples of ultrapure water and filtered water from a water treatment plant. The adsorption capacities values obtained from distilled water samples were 67% higher than those obtained for water having natural organic matter (NOM). NOM strongly influenced the removal of 2,4-D, competing for GAC adsorption sites, and decreasing its adsorption capacity to 7 mg 2,4-D g^-1 CAG. For 2,4-D concentration of 7089 ± 104 µg L^-1 and the water treated volume/GAC volume at 766, it was possible to produce treated water with 2,4-D concentration less than 30 µg L^-1 as recommended by Brazilian Drinking Water Legislation of the Ministry of Health (Portaria MS 2914/2011).

Keywords:
adsorption; 2,4-D; granular activated carbon; natural organic matter; Rapid Small-Scale Column Tests