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Efficiency of Natural Bio-adsorbents to Remove Heavy Metal Ions from Artificially Contaminated Water

Shahinur Akter
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh.

A. H. Khan
Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh.

Abdus Salam
Department of Chemistry, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The efficiency of natural bio-adsorbents (rice husk and saw dust) to remove heavy metal ions (Lead, Cadmium, and Copper) from artificially contaminated water was studied. The efficiency was determined for different concentrations of heavy metal ions, contact times, and pH levels. The surfaces of the bio-adsorbents were characterized with scanning electron microscope (SEM). The maximum adsorption of toxic metals varied between 80 and 90% depending on the contact time, pH variation, and concentrations of heavy metals in water. The adsorption was the highest when contact time was 60 minutes (by both rice husk and saw dust) and the concentration of added heavy metal was 200 µg/mL (by rice husk) and 300 µg/mL (by saw dust). The adsorption percentage increased with increasing pH. Rice husk and saw dust were found efficient in adsorbing toxic trace metals from contaminated water, however, saw dust performed better.

Keywords: Heavy metal, Bio-adsorbents, Adsorption time

Location: Department of Soil, Water and Environment and Department of Chemistry, University of Dhaka

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Contamination

Objectives:

To study the efficiency of bio adsorbents in removing heavy metal ions from artificially contaminated water

Methodology:

An experiment was conducted in the Department of Soil, Water and Environment and Department of Chemistry, University of Dhaka, to study the efficiency of bioadsorbents in removing heavy metal ions from artificially contaminated water. De-ionized water was artificially contaminated with PbCl₂, CdCl₂, and CuSO₄. Rice husk and saw dust were used as bio-adsorbents. 300 mg of bio-adsorbents were added to each of these solutions and shaken in a water bath shaker (Model 500×388). After shaking, the concentrations of heavy metals in the solution were measured with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Model 1500×702). The difference between the initial and final concentrations of metals in the solutions was considered as the amount of adsorption on the bio-adsorbent surface. The effects of shaking time (duration), metal concentration of the solution, and pH of the solution on the amount of metal adsorption by rice husk and saw dust were studied. In the first experiment, two sets of solutions, each having three individual metal (lead, cadmium, and copper) solutions having concentration of 100 µg/mL were prepared. In one set, 300 mg of rice husk was added in each of the three solutions (one for each of the metals) and in the other set, 300 mg of saw dust was added in each of the three solutions. The solutions were then shaken in a water bath shaker. The entire process was repeated separately for different shaking time durations (0, 15, 30 60, and 120 minutes). In the second experiment, shaking time was kept constant at 60 minutes and different metal concentrations (50, 100, 200, 300, and 500 µg/mL) were used. For the third experiment, the concentrations of metal solutions were kept constant at 100 µg/mL and shaking time at 60 minutes. In this set, different pH values of the solutions (3, 4, 6, 8, and 9) were used. All sets of the experiments were replicated thrice and the results were then averaged over three replications. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to know the surface characteristics of Rice husk and Saw dust. A scanning electron microscope (Model No: 368×553) produces images of a sample by scanning it with a focused beam of electrons. The electrons in the beam interact with the sample, producing various signals that can be used to obtain information about the surface topography and composition.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Journa of Soil Science, Vol-37 (1),Pag: 57-63, 2015

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The results obtained indicate that Rice husk and Saw dust can be used as bio-adsorbents to reduce heavy metal ( Pb, Cd, and Cu) concentrations of water. The adsorption percentage may be as high as 80-90% depending on the contact time, pH and initial concentration of the solutions. The adsorption percentage increased with increasing pH. Rice husk and saw dust were found efficient in adsorbing toxic trace metals from contaminated water, however, saw dust performed better.

Knowledge Management: Journal