Removal of Heavy Metals (Copper and Lead) Using Waste Eggshell with Two Different Species and Three Different Forms

Abstract

Since copper and lead are the most well-known heavy metals, eggshells were used to remove them from the aqueous solution. In this study, it was used two species; Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) and Greylag Goose (Anser anser) and three forms (pure, powdered and calcined forms) of eggshells. Using coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) methods, it was investigated whether copper and lead were adsorbed on eggshells; in different species and different forms. According to ICP-OES results, it was observed that calcined eggshells retained more amount of Cu and Pb than uncalcined eggshells. By analyzing the FTIR results, even if the eggshells were in different forms, the characteristic bands of the eggshells were almost seen in samples. After the adsorption process, new bands arose in addition to the characteristic eggshell bands. These new bands are thought to be related to the Cu and Pb loading in the eggshell. With SEM images, it was observed that metal loaded accumulated on the outer surface of the eggshell. This result is also in good agreement with the EDS results.