Applying circular economy principles and life cycle assessment: A novel approach using vine shoots waste for cadmium removal from water

Abstract

This research investigates the potential of utilizing vine shoots, a byproduct of the viticulture industry, as biosorbent for cadmium removal from aqueous solutions. The Spanish wine industry, one of the most influential sectors, produces two to three million tons of vine shoots. By using vine shoots as biosorbent, this study contributes to the circular economy paradigm, transforming waste materials into valuable resources and minimizing environmental impacts associated with waste generation and disposal. The research underscores the significance of vine shoots in biosorption due to its high lignocellulosic content. By experimental analysis, the efficacy of vine shoots in cadmium biosorption is evaluated, considering factors such as environmental impact or energy consumption. This study examines the effect of six key input parameters on cadmium removal efficiency and power consumption, identifying optimal conditions for maximum removal with minimal energy consumption. The findings suggest that vine shoots offer promising biosorption capabilities, promoting sustainability in wastewater treatment and environmental remediation efforts. By employing the response surface method alongside desirability functions, the study determined the optimal variables for two distinct optimization scenarios. Notably, in the second optimization scenario, a cadmium removal rate of 99.23 % was achieved while consuming 25.6 W of power. The input parameters for this achievement should be set as follows: initial cadmium concentration of 100 ppm, pH level of 8, stirring time of 75 min, stirring speed of 100 rpm, temperature of 26 °C, and a dose of vine shoots of 0.1 g.

Keywords: Biosorption; Cadmium removal; Circular economy; Life cycle assessment; Vine shoots; Wastewater treatment.