Influence of environmental factors on the phosphorus adsorption of lanthanum-modified bentonite in eutrophic water and sediment.

Lanthanum-modified bentonite has potential for wide application in eutrophication control. We investigated P adsorption on a lanthanum-modified bentonite by analysis of adsorption kinetics, equilibrium, and the effect of environmental factors. P adsorption closely followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the isotherm was well described by the Langmuir model. This adsorbent could effectively immobilize P into the sediment, but the adsorption process was strongly dependent on pH, anions, and low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs). P adsorption increased with increasing pH from 0.52 mg P/g at pH 3.0 to 0.93 mg P/g at pH 7.0 with no adsorption at pH 11. P adsorption was strongly inhibited in the presence of anions and three LMWOAs, with P even re-released at high concentrations. These environmental factors should be given significant attention when considering the application of lanthanum-modified bentonite in eutrophication control.