Effect of a biofilm on the adsorption of 4-chlorophenol on activated carbon

The adsorption of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) on activated carbon was studied experimentally both in the presence and in the absence of an inactivated anaerobic biofilm on the surface of carbon pellets. The presence of the biofilm markedly decreased the rate of 4-CP adsorption. However, the final near-equilibrium state (at 27 h) was not affected, and the incremental amount of material adsorbed on the pellets was similar both in the presence and in the absence of the biofilm. The biosorption of 4-CP by a biofilm coating non-adsorbing pellets was also determined. It appears that the biofilm also has some adsorption capability. Freundlich-type equations were used to correlate all data, and transient and near-equilibrium isotherms were obtained for 4-CP adsorption on different adsorbing materials at different times.