Acta Periodica Technologica (Jan 2023)

Walnut shells as a potential biosorbent for Cu(II), Pb(II) and As(III)/(V) ions removal from river waters

  • Nujkić Maja M.,
  • Tasić Žaklina Z.,
  • Medić Dragana V.,
  • Milić Snežana M.,
  • Stanković Sonja S.

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2298/APT2354187N
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2023, no. 54
pp. 187 – 196

Abstract

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In this study, the potential of the walnut shell as a biosorbent for biosorption of Cu(II), Pb(II), and As(III)/(V) ions from river water samples was investigated. The effects of various conditions of water samples such as the initial ion concentration, sample pH, and contact time at a constant temperature and biosorbent dosage, on biosorption of Cu(II), Pb(II), and As(III)/(V) were investigated. Walnut shells, as the material with a high potential for removal of investigated ions, have biosorption efficiency of up to 99.6%, under the applied experimental conditions. The best adsorption time was obtained at 4 h for Cu(II), Pb(II), and As(III)/(V) ions. The maximum removal of 97.6% (Cu(II)), 82.9% (Pb(II)), and 99.6% (As(III)/(V)) was obtained at pH=4.43, pH=8.55, and pH=7.84, respectively. Hence, the walnut shell shows potential of a cost-effective biosorbent that could be used for the treatment of contaminated rivers. However, further investigation is needed to fully explore this potential.

Keywords