Removal of Carbaryl Pesticide from Aqueous Solution by Adsorption on Local Clay in Agadir

This study was conducted to assess the removal efficiency of pesticide (Carbaryl) used in Souss Massa region (Agadir city), on a clay originated from barrage situated in Agadir. The adsorption of Carbaryl from aqueous solution by local clay as a low-cost, natural and eco-friendly adsorbent was investigated. Different physicochemical parameters were analyzed: adsorbent mass, ionic strength (NaNO3), initial concentration of pollutant, temperature, and pH. The empirical results showed that all these parameters have an impact on the retention of pesticide on the clay. The equilibrium uptake was increased with an increase in the initial pesticide concentration in solution. The results of adsorption were fitted to the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The Freundlich model represented the adsorption process better than Langmuir model, with correlation coefficients (R2) values ranged from 0.97 to 0.99. This study has shown that the natural clay is a solid that has got an important adsorption capacity, which may be used in treatment and depollution of water.