Evaluation of synthesized organic and inorganic based nanoadsorbents to lead removal with Life cycle assessment approach

Abstract

Introduction: Nanoadsorbents, as an emerging product, play a key role in the control and
removal of environmental contaminants. Moreover, the enhancement of environmental
pressure due to the human activities reveals the necessity for the utilization of novel
approaches to identify the environmental impacts of new products. Therefore, this study
was conducted to evaluate the cradle to grave Life Cycle (LCA) of synthesized
nanoadsorbents including MGO@β-CD and Fe3O4@β-CD in term of determination of the
environmental indicators involving global warming, energy consumption, water use,
human toxicity and ecotoxicity, in order to removal of one kilogram of pb (II) from
contaminated water.
Materials and Methods: In the present study after the synthesis of MGO@β-CD and
Fe3O4@β-CD nanoadsorbents through Sima pro 9.2, CED, ReCiPe, IPCC (GWP
100year) and USEtox methods were used to assess the energy use, water use, global
warming, environmental and human toxicity, respectively.
Results: By utilizing one-way ANOVA analysis in order to compare the environmental
effects of the study through removing one kilogram of lead from the synthesized
adsorbents, it is shown that the carbon-based adsorbent has less environmental effects than
the synthesized Fe3O4-based adsorbent. The results showed that the amounts of global
warming, water use, energy consumption, human toxicity and ecotoxicity for the
synthesized nanoadsorbents including MGO@β-CD and Fe3O4@β-CD in order to
removal of pb (II) are 539403588 and 772235968 kg CO2 eq, 6856670 and 9816204 m3,
8043724501 and 11515811540 MJ, 1365 and 1954 CTUh ,43889257263 and
62833049032 CTUe.
Conclusion: The nanoadsorbents that are synthesized using eco-friendly material and ecofriendly
processes could improve the environmental indicator such as human toxicity and
eco-toxicity.