Removal Efficiency of Lipid-regulating Drug Clofibric Acid from the Aquatic Environment by Calcined Anionic Clay ZnAl-CO3

Abstract

Clofibric acid (CA) is widely used as regulator of lipid levels in blood; it is considered one of the residual drugs that have a high persistence in the aquatic environment. After wastewater treatment, only a small amount of CA can be removed. The aim of this work was to investigate the reduction of CA in contaminated wastewater using calcined anionic clay ZnAl-CO3, which was chosen for its higher adsorption capacity, recyclability, and non-regeneration of sludge. The maximum retention amount, Qm, exceeded 2220 mg g–1, and the value of DH° suggested a physical process. The removal rate achieved 90 %, and the remaining quantity was widely below the tolerance thresholds. Retention was achieved by hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions between the adsorbate molecules. Recycling tests clearly suggested that this material is recyclable, promising, and very effective compared to other adsorbents. This retention contributes to the attenuation of persistent lipid regulator.