Análise da eficiência da remoção de cobre em solução aquosa por biofiltro de fibra de coco e vermiculita

Abstract

Currently, the major environmental issues are related to the accumulation of non biodegradable matter in water resources, originating from industrial effluents containing heavy metals, such as those from copper mining. The aim of this study was to examine the efficiency of different alternative materials in removing copper ions from effluents through the development and evaluation of pilot-scale biofilters. For this purpose, natural vermiculite, expanded vermiculite, and coconut fiber were used as filter materials, whose physicochemical properties were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A calibration curve was constructed to determine the copper ion concentration in the filtrate samples. Removal efficiency was assessed by comparing the results obtained with the different filter materials. The results indicated variations in removal efficiency among the tested materials, with natural vermiculite showing the highest removal rate. These findings suggest the significant potential of these alternative materials for effluent remediation, as well as their applicability in treatment systems, contributing to sustainable solutions and environmental protection. Furthermore, future studies may explore the optimization of operational conditions, such as pH, temperature, and contact time, to enhance removal efficiency. The economic feasibility and environmental impact of using these filter materials on a large scale are also crucial areas for further investigation. Testing with different concentrations of heavy metals and evaluating the regenerability of the filter materials are essential to ensure the sustainability of the effluent treatment process.