Modelling of 2,4-dichlorophenol, an emerging pollutant removal from water by adsorption onto sugarcane bagasse biochar using response surface methodology

Tapas Paul; Rishika M S; Bhautik D. Savaliya; Saurav Kumar; Pritam Sarkar; Prasenjit Pal; S.P. Shukla; Kundan Kumar; Ashish Kumar Jha; Ganesh Kumar; Supratim Malla

doi:10.17017/j.fish.1193

Tapas Paul ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai - 400 061, Maharashtra, India; College of Fisheries, Bihar Animal Sciences University, Kishanganj - 855107, Bihar, India
Rishika M S ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai - 400 061, Maharashtra, India
Bhautik D. Savaliya ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai - 400 061, Maharashtra, India
Saurav Kumar ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai - 400 061, Maharashtra, India
Pritam Sarkar ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai - 400 061, Maharashtra, India
Prasenjit Pal ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai - 400 061, Maharashtra, India
S.P. Shukla ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai - 400 061, Maharashtra, India
Kundan Kumar ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai - 400 061, Maharashtra, India
Ashish Kumar Jha ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Veraval - 362 265, Gujarat, India
Ganesh Kumar Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh-284003, India
Supratim Malla College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University, Agartala - 799 210, Tripura, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17017/j.fish.1193

Keywords: 2, 4-dichlorophenol, adsorption, modelling, response surface methodology, sugarcane bagasse biochar

Abstract

This study evaluated the potential of sugarcane bagasse biochar as a low-cost adsorbent for removing 2, 4-dichlorophenol (2, 4-DCP), an emerging pollutant from water using adsorption modelling and response surface methodology. It aimed to determine optimal combinations of concentration, contact time, pH and dose for maximizing contaminant uptake in batch and column systems. Batch adsorption experiments were planned using a Box–Behnken response surface experimental design with initial 2, 4-DCP concentration (25, 50, and 75 mg L^–¹), contact time (20, 40, and 60 min), solution pH (5, 7, and 9), and biochar dosage (6.25, 12.5, and 25 mg). Fixed-bed column studies were conducted under continuous flow to assess dynamic performance and breakthrough behaviour. Adsorption equilibrium, kinetics and column behaviour were analysed using standard isotherm and kinetic models, supported by surface and functional-group characterization. The optimized batch conditions produced removal efficiencies of about 95% with high monolayer adsorption capacity on a homogeneous biochar surface. The equilibrium data followed a monolayer adsorption model, while kinetic analysis indicated rapid uptake controlled primarily by surface-site availability. Column studies showed high dynamic capacity and well-defined breakthrough characteristics under the tested flow conditions. Sugarcane bagasse biochar proved to be an efficient and technically suitable material for removing phenolic contaminants such as 2, 4-DCP from water. The findings demonstrate a productive use of agro-industrial waste for water purification and support its application in practical treatment units for removing emerging pollutants in aquatic environments.

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