1 Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainable Communities, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0A2, Canada.
2 Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainable Communities, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0A2, Canada. Electronic address: gordon.huang@uregina.ca.
3 Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1M8, Canada.
4 Canadian Light Source, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 2V3, Canada.

Exploration of nanocellulose washing agent for the green remediation of phenanthrene-contaminated soil.

J Hazard Mater. 2021 Feb 05; 403:123861

Authors: Yin J, Huang G, An C, Zhang P, Xin X, Feng R

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are hazardous contaminants existing ubiquitously in polluted soil. In this study, using nanocellulose (CNC) fluid as an eco-friendly agent was proposed for the first time in the remediation of phenanthrene (PHE) contaminated soil. The effects of environmental factors on the mobilization of PHE in soil by CNC nanofluid was investigated using factorial analysis. The results showed that temperature and ionic strength had a significant influence on PHE removal, which were associated with the viscosity and zeta potential change in the nanofluid. The analysis based on two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy integrated with FTIR and synchrotron-based XRF imaging revealed that metals and minerals in soil played important roles in PHE detachment. The hydroxyl groups on CNC bonded with Fe-O, Si-O, and Mn-O in soil as time went on, and eventually achieved PHE mobilization through the interruption of PHE/SOM-metal/mineral linkages. The complexation and transport of PHE/SOM-metals/minerals from soil particles to the aqueous phase could be the primary PHE removal mechanism. Besides, the biotoxicity study displayed a detoxification effect of CNC nanofluid on PHE contaminants in soil. This study offers new insight into a cost-effective and biodegradable nanocellulose washing agent, which can be a good alternative to the available site remediation options.

PMID: 33264936 [PubMed - in process]