Effects of Humic Acids, Freeze–Thaw and Oxidative Aging on the Adsorption of Cd(II) by the Derived Cuttlebones: Performance and Mechanism

Zhaohui He, Wang De (), Lin Shi, Hongqi Xie, Yanqing Xiong and Di Zhang ()
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Zhaohui He: Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Carbon Sequestration and Pollution Control, Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
Wang De: Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water and Soil Conservation and Environmental Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Linyi University, Linyi 276005, China
Lin Shi: Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water and Soil Conservation and Environmental Protection, College of Resources and Environment, Linyi University, Linyi 276005, China
Hongqi Xie: Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Carbon Sequestration and Pollution Control, Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
Yanqing Xiong: Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Carbon Sequestration and Pollution Control, Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
Di Zhang: Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil Carbon Sequestration and Pollution Control, Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-18

Abstract: Currently, few studies have revealed the comprehensive effects of environmental organic matter, freeze–thaw and oxidative aging on the adsorption performance of cadmium (Cd(II)), which is essential for the sustainable stability evaluation of the adsorbent. Herein, we observed that humic acids (HAs) extracted from different soils inhibited the adsorption performance of Cd(II) onto the cuttlebone-derived samples by occupying the different major adsorption active sites of the adsorbent, and the lower cadmium-complexation ability of HAs would increase the occupation of adsorption sites. The freeze–thaw process increased the pore size and volume of the cuttlebone-derived samples, while oxidative aging enhanced the specific surface area and introduced additional C–O/C=O groups. These changes promoted the adsorption performance of Cd(II) in the cuttlebone-derived samples after freeze–thaw or oxidative aging. Additionally, the resistances of cuttlebone-based adsorbents to HAs, freeze–thaw, and oxidative aging were elucidated and optimized by simple alkali boiling or carbonization treatment. Furthermore, the adsorption capacities of Cd(II) by samples in the natural cadmium-contaminated river ranged from 548.99 mg g −1 to 571.55 mg g −1 , which are higher values than those of most reported adsorbents. Therefore, this work provides an important experimental basis for the practical application and sustainable design of adsorbents under real environmental conditions.

Keywords: cadmium; cuttlebones; humic acids; freeze–thaw aging; oxidative aging (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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