https://doi.org/10.15255/KUI.2025.040
Published: Kem. Ind. 75 (3-4) (2026) 173–181
Paper reference number: KUI-40/2025
Paper type: Original scientific paper
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Preliminary Investigation of Various Low-cost Organic and Inorganic Materials for Carbendazim Sorption – Advantages, Disadvantages and Significance of pH

I. Nuić, K. Galov, M. Ugrina, F. Burčul and A. Vučak

Abstract

Carbendazim, a widely used fungicide, is frequently detected in agricultural runoff and in surface and groundwater, raising environmental and public health concerns. The efficient removal of carbendazim from water sources remains a significant challenge, especially at different pH conditions. This study evaluates the sorption performance of several organic and inorganic materials for the removal of carbendazim (≈ 1 mg l⁻) from aqueous solutions across a pH range of 3–6. A series of batch experiments was conducted using fruit-processing by-products (olive, cherry, and sour cherry pits) and various zeolite samples (natural zeolite clinoptilolite and its modified forms enriched with sodium, iron or sulphur). The results showed that only sodium-rich natural zeolite and sour cherry pits achieved notable removal efficiencies. Sodium-rich natural zeolite exhibited maximum performance of up to 99.0 % at pH_o = 3.02, while sour cherry pits achieved 58.4 % efficiency at pH_o = 5.81. The findings demonstrate that both sorbent type and solution pH are key factors affecting carbendazim removal. These findings provide a basis for the development of optimised, pH-sensitive sorption-based treatment strategies for pesticide-contaminated waters using environmentally friendly and readily available materials.

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Keywords

fungicide carbendazim, low-cost sorbents, fruit-processing by-products, natural zeolite, sustainable water treatment