Carbon-based adsorptive materials for mitigation of organophosphate contaminants in aquatic systems
Abstract
Rapid industrialization and technological advancement have significantly increased the presence of hazardous chemicals in environmental matrices, posing risks not only to public health and ecosystems but also to environmental and water security. Among these contaminants, organophosphate compounds represent a critical class of toxic substances. While primarily used as agricultural pesticides, organophosphates share structural and toxicological features with certain nerve agents, making their environmental persistence and potential misuse a matter of concern within CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) risk frameworks. Aquatic systems are particularly vulnerable, as wastewater discharges facilitate the transport of pesticides, synthetic dyes, and heavy metals into rivers, lakes, and groundwater reservoirs. The development of efficient, scalable, and low-cost remediation materials is therefore essential for both environmental protection and strategic water safety management. This study investigates the adsorption of chlorpyrifos onto bio-derived carbon materials synthesized via controlled carbonization of waste biomass. The objective was to assess their removal efficiency and evaluate their potential applicability in defensive water purification systems designed for contamination response and preventive risk mitigation. Material characterization was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis to determine morphology, surface chemistry, and porosity. Adsorption experiments were monitored by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) at three operational temperatures (22 °C, 30 °C, and 35 °C). Adsorption efficiency and equilibrium time were determined to assess operational feasibility under variable environmental conditions. The results provide mechanistic insight into interactions between organophosphate compounds and carbon-based materials and support the development of bio-derived adsorbents as cost-effective components in resilient water treatment systems relevant to environmental security and CBRN preparedness.