Efficient and optimal adsorptive removal of urea from agricultural effluent using acidified ball clay: optimization via response surface methodology

Authors

  • E. A. Yerima
    Department of Chemistry, Federal University Wukari, PMB 1020, Taraba State, Nigeria
    Department of Chemistry, University of Jos, PMB 2084, Plateau State, Nigeria
  • S. P. Maaji
    Department of Chemistry, Federal University Wukari, PMB 1020, Taraba State, Nigeria
    Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Auburn University, Alabama, USA
  • C. V. Ogbodo
    Department of Chemistry, National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
  • D. Abutu
    Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Federal University Wukari, PMB 1020, Taraba State, Nigeria
  • S. A. Yakubu
    Department of Chemistry, University of Jos, PMB 2084, Plateau State, Nigeria
  • F. O. Nwankwo
    Department of Chemistry, Federal University Wukari, PMB 1020, Taraba State, Nigeria
  • S. J. Aboki
    Department of Chemistry, Federal University Wukari, PMB 1020, Taraba State, Nigeria
  • J. A. Adamu
    Department of Chemistry, Federal University Wukari, PMB 1020, Taraba State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Acid modified, Ball clay, Characterization, Contamination, Remediation

Abstract

Agricultural runoff rich in urea content poses a threat to the aquatic ecosystems. This study investigated the adsorptive potential of acidified ball clay in removing urea from agricultural effluents as well as the conditions of temperature, adsorbent dosage, time, and pH that will give the optimum removal by adopting response surface methodology (RSM). Characterizations of the acidified ball to understand its adsorptive properties revealed the abundance of visible pores on the acidified ball clay for possible accommodation of adsorbate (urea) by SEM, while after adsorption the initial visible pores are slightly batched, indicating interaction between the adsorbate and adsorbent. The TEM analysis showed a number of spherical-shaped and well-dispersed nanostructures of adsorbent whose number doubles on addition of adsorbate after adsorption. The FTIR spectrum of modified ball clay showed the presence of O-H, Si-O-Si, and Al-OH groups. The EDX spectrum for the acidified ball clay unveils the elemental composition by weight in the order: Si (59.0%) > Al (18.4%) > O (12.3%) > N (3.0%) = C (3.0%) > Fe (2.8%) > Ca (1.3%). The batch process showed that acidified ball clay exhibited good potential for urea adsorption. Achieving a maximum removal efficiency of 89.14% with a corresponding capacity of 1815.3 mg/g from an initial concentration of 152.7 mg/L at optimum conditions of pH =3, temperature = 35°C, dosage 3.75 g, contact time = 30 minutes, and rate of 4.53 min-1.

Dimensions

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EDX spectrum of ball clay before and after adsorption.

Published

2026-02-10

How to Cite

Efficient and optimal adsorptive removal of urea from agricultural effluent using acidified ball clay: optimization via response surface methodology. (2026). African Scientific Reports, 5(1), 367. https://doi.org/10.46481/asr.2026.5.1.367

Issue

Volume 5, Issue 1, April 2026 (In Progress)

Section

CHEMISTRY SECTION
Copyright & Licensing

Copyright (c) 2026 E. A. Yerima, S. P. Maaji, C. V. Ogbodo, D. Abutu, S. A. Yakubu, F. O. Nwankwo, S. J. Aboki, J. A. Adamu

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Efficient and optimal adsorptive removal of urea from agricultural effluent using acidified ball clay: optimization via response surface methodology. (2026). African Scientific Reports, 5(1), 367. https://doi.org/10.46481/asr.2026.5.1.367

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