Removal of Total Phenolic Compounds and Heavy Metal Ions from Olive Mill Wastewater Using Sodium-Activated Jordanian Kaolinite

Ethar M. Al-Essa, Khansaa Al-Essa (), Neda Halalsheh, Abdelmajeed Adam Lagum, Alaa M. Al-Ma’abreh, Hussein Saraireh and Khaldoun Shatnawi
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Ethar M. Al-Essa: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Isra University, Amman 11622, Jordan
Khansaa Al-Essa: Department of Chemistry, Jerash University, Jerash 26150, Jordan
Neda Halalsheh: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
Abdelmajeed Adam Lagum: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Isra University, Amman 11622, Jordan
Alaa M. Al-Ma’abreh: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Isra University, Amman 11622, Jordan
Hussein Saraireh: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Isra University, Amman 11622, Jordan
Khaldoun Shatnawi: Alltech Middle East FZCO, Showroom No S3B6SR01 JAFZA, Dubai P.O. Box 261444-261444, United Arab Emirates

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 10, 1-22

Abstract: Olive mill wastewater (OMW) is deemed a substantial environmental pollutant, particularly in Mediterranean regions. Lower and middle-income countries, including Jordan, suffer from water scarcity and increasing demand for water, especially for drinking and irrigation purposes. Subsequently, the management and treatment of OMW represents a major concern. This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing Jordanian kaolinite as a simple, readily available, green, and sustainable adsorbent to mitigate the environmental impact of untreated or partially treated OMW. In this work, purified kaolinite (PK) was activated with sodium ions at room temperature. The characterization of PK and sodium-activated kaolinite (PK-NaCl) was accomplished using FTIR, XRD, TGA, and BET surface area analyses. The adsorption performance of both PK and PK-NaCl for OMW treatment were evaluated through batch and column experiments. The key physiochemical parameters of OMW were systematically analyzed in all influent and effluent samples to evaluate the treatment efficiency. In all cases, sodium-activated kaolinite significantly enhances treatment efficiency. The adsorption of total phenolic compounds (TPCs) onto both PK and PK-NaCl adsorbents was studied with respect to initial concentration, adsorbent dosage, and temperature. The maximum adsorption capacity was 8.88 mg/g for PK-NaCl, which was higher than that of PK, at an adsorbent dose of 1.0 g and a temperature of 323 K. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models to describe the adsorption equilibrium were implemented, and both displayed good fit with the experimental data. Additionally, the removal efficiencies of heavy metal (i.e., Zn, Fe and Mn) ions were also evaluated. The findings demonstrated that the PK-NaCl completely removed all tested heavy metal ions, regardless of their initial concentrations. Therefore, the cost-effective and easily prepared PK-NaCl significantly improved the adsorption capacity and presents a promising treatment solution for OMW. This approach could be highly beneficial for olive mills across the Mediterranean regions to mitigate the environmental impact of OM waste.

Keywords: sodium-activated Jordanian Kaolinite; olive mill wastewater; total phenolic compounds; heavy metal ions (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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