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The characteristics of steel slag and the effect of its application as a soil additive on the removal of nitrate from aqueous solution

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Abstract

This study examined the characteristics of nitrate removal from aqueous solution by steel slag and the feasibility of using steel slag as a soil additive to remove nitrate. Steel slag adsorbents were characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared spectrum (IR spectrum). Adsorption isotherms and kinetics were also analysed. Various parameters were measured in a series of batch experiments, including the sorbent dose, grain size of steel slag, reaction time, initial concentration of nitrate nitrogen, relationship between Al, Fe and Si ions leached from the steel slag and residual nitrate in the aqueous solution. The nitrate adsorbing capacity increased with increasing amounts of steel slag. In addition, decreasing the grain diameter of steel slag also enhanced the adsorption efficiency. Nitrate removal from the aqueous solution was primarily related to Al, Fe, Si and Mn leached from the steel slag. The experimental data conformed to second-order kinetics and the Freundlich isothermal adsorption equation, indicating that the adsorption of nitrate by steel slag is chemisorption under the action of monolayer adsorption. Finally, it was determined that using steel slag as a soil additive to remove nitrate is a feasible strategy.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support for this study was provided by the 10-Year Evaluation Project of the People’s Republic of China Ministry of Environmental Protection (STSN-06). We are very grateful to the referees and the editors for their helpful suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecological Science and Engineering, School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

    Yang Liyun, Xu Ping, Yang Maomao & Bai Hao

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  1. Yang Liyun
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  2. Xu Ping
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  3. Yang Maomao
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  4. Bai Hao
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Correspondence to Yang Liyun.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Liyun, Y., Ping, X., Maomao, Y. et al. The characteristics of steel slag and the effect of its application as a soil additive on the removal of nitrate from aqueous solution. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 4882–4893 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-8171-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-8171-2

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