RT Journal Article
T1 Natural red clay as an efficient and reusable catalyst in the heterogeneous Fenton reaction for wastewater treatment
A1 Akachar, S.
A1 Benahdach, K.
A1 Draoui, K.
A1 Albqmi, M.
A1 Hodaifa, Gassan
K1 Natural mineral clay
K1 Industrial wastewater
K1 Fenton-like reaction
K1 Degradation
K1 Catalyst reuse
K1 Sustainable  industrial processes
AB Olive mill wastewater (OMW) exhibits substantial contaminated properties due to its high content of organic substances, such as phenolic constituents. This research aims to study the viability of using natural and low-cost mineral clay with acceptable iron content (Fe2O3 content = 10.8%) as an adsorbent and as a catalyst for the degradation of organic matter in a real industrial olive mill wastewater throughout heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction. The maximum removal efficiency achieved through adsorption was 30–33% for 40 to 40 g/L of NRC. The NRC, as a catalyst, has been used in its natural form and after thermal treatment activation at 850°C in order to eliminate undesirable organic material, carbonates and interstitial water. In both cases, the catalyst has been characterized using XRD, scanning electron microscope, and FT-IR analyses. The degradation efficiency of organic matter by natural red clay (NRC) and incinerated clay (INRC) was up to 64.2% and 70.8%, respectively. The total phenolic compounds removal at the end of the reaction using NRC and INRC as catalysts without pH modification of the reaction medium were 73.5% and 87.6%, respectively. Moreover, the studied natural materials NRC and INRC retained their performance after 4 and 6 cycles, respectively, demonstrating their potential to be used as low-cost catalysts. This potential was verified by XRD and FT-IR characterization. Overall, the results obtained showed that NRC and INRC could be used as suitable, efficient and low-cost catalysts for the treatment of OMW at an industrial level by means of Fenton-type reactions.
PB Springer Nature
YR 2026
FD 2026-09-08
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10433/27390
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10433/27390
LA en
NO Akachar, S., Benahdach, K., Draoui, K. et al. Natural red clay as an efficient and reusable catalyst in the heterogeneous Fenton reaction for wastewater treatment. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 23, 623 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-026-07446-0
NO Se trata del uso de arcilla natural en el tratamiento en las aguas residuales de las almazaras..
NO Proyectos de investigación‘Bridge grants for the concurrence to the State R+D+I  Plan’ under the VI Own Research and Transfer Plan 2023–2026 of  the University of Pablo de Olavide, awarded by Rector's Resolution  dated 14 December 2023 (Rfª.: PPI2309), and from the Project Ref.:  PID2022-142030OB-I00 “Design and Installation of a Pilot Plant based  on the Photo-Fenton Process for the treatment of Industrial Wastewater  from Olive Mills for its Recovery and Reuse.”. Funding for open access  publishing: Universidad Pablo de Olavide/CBUA.
NO Universidad Pablo de Olavide. Departamento de Biología Molecular e Ingeniería Bioquímica
DS RIO
RD Sep 14, 2026