Adsorption and desorption of phosphorus in ceramic capsules

Experiments were carried out in order to analyse the capacity of adsorving P from water using ceramic capsules with 32P, in the presence and absence of water flow through the capsule. Also studied was the desorption of 32P from the capsule in water, with and without water flow. The desorption of residual 32P was analysed by isotopic exchange with 31P, also with and without water flow. It was observed that, in the presence of a flow, the capsule retained 32P from the solution, which was weakly desorbed by water but was isotopically exchanged with 31P. In the absence of a flow, the capsule was not an efficient P adsorber. (Author)