Adsorption Kinetics of Phenols by Carbonaceous Materials

Wastewater containing phenol and other phenolic compounds are commonly
generated from many chemical operations such as polymeric resin production, oil
refining, pesticides, pulp and paper manufacturing (B. Koumanova et al). Wastewater
that contains phenol has significant effects on the environment. Phenol can be toxic or
lethal to fish even at low concentration (5-25 mg/l) depending on the temperature. The
contaminated fish may be consumed by human accidently. Furthermore, phenol can
imparts objectionable tastes to drinking water, especially chlorinated water, even at very
low concentrations. Beside from that, phenols also known as an inhibitor of biological
reactions that will further affect efficiency of wastewater treatment plant (Daihabde et
al.).