Semester Award Granted

Summer 2025

Submission Date

August 2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Masoud Jahandar Lashaki

Abstract

Phosphorus pollution in surface waters drives harmful algal blooms, creating ecological, public health, and economic risks. This study examined citrus processing waste as a sustainable, low-cost precursor for producing chemically modified adsorbents for phosphorus removal. Orange waste was pyrolyzed, resulting in a carbon-rich material with low ash content, as confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis. The material was modified using lanthanum chloride, iron (III) chloride, and calcium chloride at varying mass ratios and screened under standard conditions (1 mg P/L, 1 g/L dosage, 24-hour contact time). Lanthanum- and iron-modified samples demonstrated the best removal efficiencies and underwent further evaluation. The lanthanum-modified sample achieved over 98% phosphorus removal across conditions, with rapid uptake and stable performance even at low dosage and short contact time. The iron-modified sample showed moderate removal and was identified as a cost-effective alternative. These results support orange waste as a viable material for phosphorus control in surface waters.

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