Removal Cu(II) ions from water using sulphuric acid treated Lagenaria vulgaris Shell (Cucurbitaceae)

Abstract

Removal of Cu(II) ions from water solutions by sulphuric acid treated Lagenaria vulgaris shell (ccLVB) was studied. Batch experiments were done by shaking a fixed mass of biosorbent (1.0 g) with 250 cm3 of 50.0 mg dm–3 Cu(II) solutions, at pH ranged from 2 up to 6. Metal concentration in the filtrates as well as in the initial solution was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Results show that efficiency of Cu(II) ions uptake by sulphuric acid treated Lagenaria vulgaris shell is significantly greater than raw Lagenaria vulgaris biosorbent. In addition, there is no significant effect of initial pH of solution on Cu(II) ions uptake by ccLVB and obtained biosorbent can be applied in a wide range of pH.

Keywords

• Biosorption
• Lagenaria vulgaris
• Cu(II)
• pH
• kinetics