Adsorption of toxic metals from greywater using coconut husk biochar and spent green tea

Abstract

The discharge of wastewater into ground and surface waters can cause human and ecological health problems, hence eco-friendly, sustainable and cost-effective methods for removing toxic metals from wastewater are required. The study employed coconut husk biochar and spent impra ginseng flavoured green tea to adsorb cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) from greywater. The adsorption capacity of coconut husk biochar ranged from 88.70 % to 98.20 % for cadmium, 78 %–96 % for chromium and 95.71 %–99.29 % for lead whilst the spent impra ginseng flavoured green tea ranged from 94.03 % to 96.87 % for cadmium, 52 %–74 % for chromium and 98.52 %–99.48 % for lead. The maximum adsorption capacity (Qe) of coconut husk biochar ranged from 235.64 to 1132.40 mg/g for Cd, 1.31–8.80 mg/g for Cr and 58.85–415.80 mg/g for Pb. Lead demonstrated the highest affinity for the binding of coconut husk biochar and spent impra ginseng flavoured green tea adsorbent with a trend of Pb > Cd > Cr. Coconut husk biochar and spent impra ginseng flavoured green tea adsorbent were suitable for the toxic metals adsorption in the greywater. Cr showed different removal efficiencies where coconut husk biochar showed more effective removal than spent impra ginseng flavoured green tea. The application of coconut husk biochar and spent impra ginseng flavoured green tea in wastewater treatment is a green technology means and can lead to zero pollution of freshwater.

Keywords

• Chromium
• Coconut husk biochar
• Eco-friendly adsorbent
• Green technology
• Greywater