3.6. Desorption of natural and modified mussel
In the present study, the phosphate-loaded natural mussel shells (0.979 mg/g) and modified mussel shells (0.987 g/g) were desorbed using citric acid (2%) for an hour.
About 97.70% and 84.73% of the phosphate adsorbed in the natural and modified mussel, respectively dissolved out.
It showed that the adsorption of phosphate on mussel shells is relatively reversible, and the bonding between the active sites and the adsorbed phosphate is not so strong.
These results suggest that the phosphate-loaded material can be easily desorbed using citric acid (2%) and has the potential to be re-used as an adsorbent.