Methylene blue dye removal using Sphagnum palustre L. Bog-moss as a reusable biosorbent

In this study, Sphagnum palustre L. Bog-moss (SPM) was used as a reusable and economical biomaterial for the removal of methylene blue (MB). The effects of different pH, temperature, time, static/shaking conditions, adsorbent amount and concentration of dye were investigated. We evaluated that moss can almost completely remove (99.5 %) MB at low (50 mg L−1) concentration within 1 h, while 85 % dye removal was observed at approximately higher concentration 500 mg L−1. The adsorption isotherm data were fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm. Furthermore, reusability tests showed that S. palustre could be used in at least six decolorization steps with high removal efficiency. After the 6th reuse step, the decolorization rate of the MB was found to be 65 ± 0.2 %. As a result, Sphagnum moss could be applicable for the decolorization due to their versatility and reusability.