Assessment of bentonite effectiveness in retaining pollutants from olive oil production discharges
摘要
This study investigates the characterization and valorization of bentonites from North Africa, with a particular focus on samples from the Rif region of Morocco. The analyzed bentonite samples comprise 21.9% clay, 35.3% silt, and 42.8% sand. Key physicochemical proprieties, such as low organic matter and carbonate content, suggest strong mechanical stability and resistance to water. The high alkalinity observed in the samples is attributed to the presence of soluble salts, including alkali carbonates and bicarbonates. X-ray diffraction analysis identified montmorillonite, anorthite, hematite, and quartz as principal minerals, with minor quantities (< 5%) of illite, calcite, xenotime, anatase, and gypsum. FTIR spectra reveal structural heterogeneity with the bentonite, and SEM analysis confirms a dual porosity, which is particularly advantageous for adsorption applications. The treatment of olive oil discharges using Moroccan raw bentonite yielded promising results, successfully removing nearly all micropollutants and neutralizing the solution’s acidity, as the pH increased from 4.03 to 8.04. Additionally, there was a marked reduction in electrical conductivity, dropping significantly from 16.93 µS/cm to 0.12 µS/cm. The bentonite also demonstrated impressive removal efficiency for phenolic compounds, with concentrations decreasing from 9.17 g/L to 3.83 g/L. Furthermore, the material exhibited strong adsorption of heavy metals, particularly iron, and demonstrated exceptional efficacy in removing phosphorus from aqueous solutions. These properties highlight its potential as an effective adsorbent for mitigating pollution in wetland areas. These findings underscore the potential of Moroccan bentonite as a valuable natural resource for environmental protection, particularly in pollution attenuation and water treatment applications.