• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.925-932
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• 2008

Adsorption performance of tetracycline antibiotic compounds such as tetracycline(TC), oxytetracycline(OTC), chlortetracycline (CTC) and minocycline(MNC) on granular activated carbon(GAC) was evaluated in this study. The coal-based activated carbon was found to be more effective than other carbons in adsorption of tetracycline antibiotic compounds. The wood-based activated carbon was less effective than coconut- and coal-based carbon in adsorption nevertheless having larger pore volume and specific surface area than others carbons. The maximum adsorption capacities(X/M) of coal-based activated carbon for the four tetracycline species was 1.27$\sim$1.36 and 1.69$\sim$1.84 times larger than coconut- and wood-based activated carbon, respectively. Carbon usage rates(CUR) of coal-, coconut- and wood-based activated carbons for tetracycline(TC) were 2.96 g/day, 3.40 g/day and 4.53 g/day, respectively. Similar results were obtained in the adsorption of the rest three tetracycline species. It is concluded that coal-based activated carbon could removed the tetracycline antibiotic compounds better than other material-based activated carbons.