Adsorption Studies of Heavy Metals by Low-Cost Adsorbents

In this study, removal of toxic metals Cr(VI) from artificially contaminated water has been investigated with the aim of detoxifying industrial effluents before their safe disposal onto land or into the river. Two low-cost natural adsorbents, Palm Kernel fiber and Coconut husks, were used to remove Cr(VI) ion from synthesized waste water. The effects of, initial concentration, contact time, on adsorption efficiency were investigated. Adsorption isotherm and kinetics were also studied. Generally, the result showed an increase in removal efficiency with increase in contact time and decrease of initial concentration. Kinetic study revealed that pseudo-second order model is suitable to explain all our experimental data. The adsorption equilibrium data correlate well with Freundlich model, with regression coefficient, R². The results showed that efficiencies of ACNH and APKF for Cr(vi) ion removal were 91.14%, and 84.89% respectively. High adsorption capacity of the tested adsorbents makes it preferable and very cheap and environmental-friendly alternative adsorption material.