Efficiency of carbon nanotubes in nitrate and phosphate removal of effluents from desalination plants and shrimp farms

Abstract

Introduction: Carbon nanotubes have received much attention due to their unique thermal,
electrical and mechanical properties, and their high efficiency in removing organic water
pollutants. The present study was performed to remove nitrate and phosphate from effluents
of desalination plants and shrimp farms using carbon nanotubes.
Materials & Methods: The experiment was performed in 8 treatments with different doses
of carbon nanotube adsorbent and concentrations of 100 ml of pure effluent, 50 ml of
effluent with 50 ml of distilled water and control treatment.
Result: Statistical analysis of data showed that experimental treatments had a significant
effect on the amount of nitrate and phosphate of desalination water and shrimp effluent
(P<0.05), nanotube adsorbent in 50% and 100% dilution of desalination effluent reduced
the amount of nitrate, but this adsorbent in shrimp effluent at a dilution of 50% and 100%
not only did not lead to the removal of nitrate, but also increased this index.
Conclusion: The use of carbon nanotubes to remove phosphate was also used in both
effluent, the results showed that the adsorbent of nanotubes in dilution of 50 and 100% in
desalination and shrimp effluent reduced this index. In general, the use of carbon nanotube
adsorbents to remove organic pollutants from wastewater in desalination plants is
recommended.