abstract
The widespread use of gadolinium (Gd) in medical and industrial applications, especially as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), has led to its increasing presence in surface waters, disrupting natural geochemical cycles and posing risks to aquatic ecosystems. Addressing this challenge, recent studies have explored the potential of magnetic materials, such as spinel ferrite nanoparticles, in the removal of Gd from contaminated water sources. The present study specifically focused on the use of MnFe2O4 nanoparticles to remove Gd from contaminated solutions, employing response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize sorption conditions. Key variables evaluated included salinity (0-30 g/L), initial Gd concentration (1-5 mu mol/L), and sorbent dose (20-180 mg/L), at a fixed pH of 6. The results revealed that salinity had a minimal impact on Gd sorption, likely due to the high sorbent mass used. Optimal conditions were identified as a sorbent dose of 165 mg/L, an initial Gd concentration of 1.3 mu mol/L, and a salinity level of 13.4 g/L, at pH 6. The process was efficient and rapid, achieving over 90% Gd removal within 1 h in both freshwater and saline conditions, and over 75% removal in mineral water within 3 h. The high efficiency and celerity of this method suggest that MnFe2O4 nanoparticles are a promising solution for treating Gd-contaminated hospital effluents. Future research should focus on validating these results in real-world effluent matrices and addressing the environmental and economic aspects of large-scale implementation, thereby contributing to sustainable water remediation strategies.
keywords
CONTRAST AGENTS; REMOVAL; BIOSORPTION; MODELS
subject category
Science & Technology - Other Topics
authors
Sousa, J; Pinto, J; Barbosa, H; Tavares, DS; Freitas, R; Trindade, T; Rocha, J; Pereira, E
our authors
Daniela Soraia dos Santos Tavares
PhD Student
João Pedro Dias Pinto
Junior Researcher
João Rocha
Full Professor
Maria Helena Barbosa
Research Fellowship
Tito Trindade
Full professoracknowledgements
This work received financial support from PT national funds (FCT/MCTES, Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia and Ministerio da Ciencia, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior) through the CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDB/50011/2020 and UIDP/50011/2020), REQUIMTE (UIDB/50006/2020 and UIDP/50006/2020) and CESAM (UID Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e Mar (CESAM) + LA/P/0094/2020).