STUDIES ON THE REMOVAL OF HEAVY METALS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION USING IMMOBILIZED TYPHA ANGUSTATA L.

Abstract

The sorption capacity of Immobilized Typha angustata L. for the removal of metal ions (Fe3+,Pb2+, Zn2+, Cr3+ and Cd2+ ) were studied using batch experiments. The residual metal ion concentrations were investigated using AAS. The influence of factors such as contact time, initial concentration, ionic strength pH and temperature were investigated. The metal ion sorption capacity by IBCC decreases with increasing ionic strength but increases with increasing pH values and initial metal ion concentration. The sorption rate for the metal ions was rapid for the first 30 minutes and equilibrium was established within 2 hrs. The maximum sorption capacity for Fe3+, Pb2+, Cd3+,Cr2+, and Zn2+ were found to be 98.65, 96.36,90.57, 84.38 and 80.28 respectively. From the experimental work on the sorption capacity of IBCC sorbent, our result showed that the abundantly wasted Typha angustata L. could be turned into an environmentally friendly, and cost effective sorbent for the removal of heavy metalions from waste water

Keywords

• Immobilized Typha angustata L.
• heavy metal ions
• aqueous solution
• sorption capacity