Abstract

Sija Arun and Payal Maharathi*

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/ojc/350323

Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic compound that is used for various health issues like headaches, nervousness, nausea, vomiting etc. Ciprofloxacin is the second generation of quinolones in the different categories of antibiotics. After using this antibiotic, some percentages of the compound are not metabolized in the body and is excreted along with the urine and excreta. This will reach the treatment plant and the conventional treatment method is not designed to treat these micropollutants, so it is released into the environment. The presence of ciprofloxacin is detected in surface water samples collected from different areas of the world. This study is conducted to find an effective adsorbent that can remove the ciprofloxacin from wastewater. Biochar produced from agricultural waste is highly rich in carbon and made from the process called pyrolysis. Pyrolysis of biomass is carried out under lower temperatures and low oxygen content. Biochar is used to remove antibiotic compounds, naphthalene, and heavy metals. Biochar is economical and does not have any adverse effects on the environment. Biochar can be prepared from different types of organic biodegradable waste. Since, the quantity of municipal solid waste reaching the landfill site is increasing day by day, converting the organic waste into biochar can reduce the amount of waste reaching the landfill site. In this study, biochar prepared from rice husk at 300°C is the best adsorbent to remove ciprofloxacin from aqueous solution. The adsorption of ciprofloxacin is studied for various conditions. The samples were analyzed in the UV-Vis spectrophotometer and it shows good removal efficiency.

Adsorption; Biochar; Ciprofloxacin

[ View HTML Full Text]