Simultaneous removal of multiple polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from urban stormwater using low-cost agricultural/industrial byproducts as sorbents

The potential of five low-cost and globally available sorbents, including three raw waste products – tire crumb rubber (WTCR), coconut coir fiber (CCF) blast furnace slag (BFS) two modified materials biochar (BC) iron coated (FeBC) were evaluated for removing a mixture polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): pyrene (PYR), phenanthrene (PHE), acenaphthylene (ACY) naphthalene (NAP) from simulated stormwater. physicochemical characteristics the sorbents assessed by BET-N2 surface area, CHN elemental analysis, FTIR scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS). experimental data well described both linear Freundlich isotherm pseudo-second order kinetic models. adsorption rate was mainly controlled film diffusion mass transfer mechanism. magnitude PAHs partition coefficients (Kd) followed BC > FeBC WTCR CCF ? BFS, ranging 80 to 390,000 L/kg. sorption Kd values positively correlated with aromaticity octanol-water (Kow) PAHs. Solution ionic strength pH did not have significant effects on all sorbents. In contrast, humic acid, as dissolved organic carbon, decreased capacities CCF, increased efficiency which confirmed field-collected real hydrophobic ?–? interactions main mechanism various These findings are promising future development cost-effective filters removal pollutants urban stormwater runoff.