Abstract
The adsorption behaviour of phosphate and the removal of phosphate from the primary effluent by the scoria and weathered pumice were investigated. The amount of phosphate adsorbed was significantly influenced by the equilibrium time, the concentration of phosphate, the equilibrium pH and the presence of competitive anions. The phosphate adsorption were analyzed by applying Langmuir equation. In the batch experiments the retention of phosphate were 370 μmol P·g-1 for the red-colored scoria and 270 μmol P·g-1 for the weathered pumice, which indicated higher adsorption capacity than other mineral soils. From the column experiment it is proved that the percolation is one of the most important factors in the removal of phosphate from the primary effluent. The scoria and weathered pumice were profitable materials to remove phosphate from the primary effluent.
