Assessment of Enhanced Nitrate Removal Efficacies in Wastewater Using Amine-Grafted Functionalised Biomaterials Derived from Agricultural Waste

Tota-Maharaj, Kiran, Kalaruban, Mahadeva and Vigneswaran, Saravanamuthu (2026) Assessment of Enhanced Nitrate Removal Efficacies in Wastewater Using Amine-Grafted Functionalised Biomaterials Derived from Agricultural Waste. The West Indian Journal of Engineering, 48 (2). pp. 27-37.

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Abstract

The escalating levels of wastewater pollutants pose a significant threat to human health and aquatic ecosystems. Nitrate is a concerning contaminant, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) setting a maximum permissible limit of 50 mg/L in drinking water. Amongst the various technologies available for nitrate removal, adsorption offers several advantages including cost- effectiveness, simplicity, and minimal waste generation. This study investigated the removal of nitrate from water using both unmodified and amine-grafted agricultural waste materials in a dynamic adsorption system. These readily available, low-cost bio-adsorbents demonstrated exceptional nitrate removal capabilities, with the amine-grafted materials exhibiting significantly higher adsorption capacities compared to their unmodified counterparts. This research also explored the potential for sustainable reuse of exhaust bio- adsorbents. The assessment and review took into consideration spent materials which can be employed as fertilisers, while the nitrate-rich desorption solution can be utilised in fertigation to provide nitrogen to plants. Additionally, the potassium (K) in the desorption solution offers agronomic benefits. Comparative analysis with other bio-adsorbents highlighted the superior performance of the materials investigated in this study.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Nitrate removal, agricultural byproducts, amine modification, adsorption, water contamination, bio-adsorbents, wastewater management, sustainable farming, environmentally friendly solutions, fertigation
Divisions:	Land and Property Management
Depositing User:	Professor Kiran Tota-Maharaj
Date Deposited:	17 Feb 2026 16:06
Last Modified:	17 Feb 2026 16:06
URI:	https://rau.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/17049

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