EVALUATION OF ADSORTIVE POWER OF CACTUS PEAR FORAGE WITHOUT PEEL FOR USE IN REMOVAL OF COMMON GASOLINE IN WATER BODIES

Alternative methods, as adsorption, with use of readily available and low cost materials have been used to remove contaminants in water bodies. Objective of this work was to study adsorptive power of cactus pear forage (Opuntia tuna Mill) biomass without bark as adsorbent for removal of gasoline in water bodies. Material underwent a natural drying process and then comminution to powder form. In adsorption kinetics study, were evaluated time between 5 and 60 minutes (with a 5-minute interval) and equilibrium concentrations of contaminants ranging from 5 to 50%, with a 5% variation rate. It was observed that process was rapid, with greater adsorption efficiency over time for 30 minutes. Langmuir model fitted well to experimental data, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 5.94 g.g -1. Results confirm that cactus pear forage without peel appears as a promising biomass in gasoline adsorption process