Investigation of the effective parameters on the phenol removal from the groundwater by response surface method

The discharge of industrial waste containing organic pollutants like phenol has caused a surge in environmental complications in water, soil, and air. In recent years, the concentration of phenolic pollutants has risen due to their high toxicity and environmental persistence. This research used geotextile/activated carbon (GTX/AC) adsorbent to purify groundwater contaminated with phenol, owing to its easy availability. A low-cost geotextile carrier was utilized to avoid the dispersion of active carbon in the groundwater. Response surface method (RSM) was used in the present research to design and optimize experimental tests. The results indicate that the initial concentration, pH, and adsorbent dosage are the most significant parameters affecting the geotextile/activated carbon (GTX/AC) adsorbent performance. Maximum adsorption capacity was considered the highest desirability level for the response surface method optimization. The initial phenol concentration equal to 458.8 mg/L, the amount of pH equal to 7, and the dose of adsorbent equal to 5.5 gr were the best conditions for removing phenol from the water. Based on the result of this research, the response surface method can be used for modeling and optimizing phenol adsorption from groundwater, and geotextile/activated carbon (GTX/AC) adsorbent is a suitable choice for the treatment of water polluted with phenol.