Coupling Magnetite Nanoparticles with Zeolitic Tuff Sorbent Material for Olive Mill Wastewater (OMW) Remediation

Abstract

Olive Mill Wastewater (OMW) is generated during olive milling in large quantities. It has high organic and phenolic content and represents an environmental problem. This work aimed to treat OMW by developing an environmentally friendly and cost-effective medium that removes phenolic compounds via interaction between magnetic nanoparticles and natural raw material. Magnetite (Fe3O4) and Goethite (FeO(OH)) were prepared by microemulsion method. The media were prepared and tested as multi-adsorbent systems by two approaches, then mixed and coated to synthesize nanocomposite media under different parameters: contact time, percentage of nanoparticles/OMW, percentage of media/OMW, temperature, and pH. The optimum conditions were 3% media/OMW, 3 days of contact time, pH 5, and room temperature. Results showed 79% removal efficiency. For the coating approach of magnetite/zeolite, the removal was 67% at pH 3 and 75% at pH 5.