Potential of Humic Acid from Soil to Reduce The Content of Heavy Metals

Abstract

Humic acid is an important component for the qualities of soil with different properties or characteristics depending on the sources. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of humic acid produced from soil as a heavy metal adsorbent. This study used several methods to examine its adsorption pattern, including time incubations (20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 minutes), pH treatment (1-9), the adsorbent treatments (humic acid) with a weight ratio of adsorbent (1:2:3 and 4) also adsorption using five different heavy metals concentrations. The result showed that each treatment provides a different pattern of heavy metal uptake depending on the type of heavy metals. Humic acid from soil has good adsorption characteristics. They absorbed the greatest amount of heavy metals, particularly Pb (18.25%-98.06%), Cd (3.65%-70, 99%), and Cr (18.15%-97.52%). Furthermore, soil as a planting medium has potential to be used as a substance that can reduce heavy metal contain.