Pb(II) biosorption by selected waste biomass

Abstract

Global concerns regarding environmental issues have required the evaluation of the waste biomass as potential biosorbents of heavy metals. This paper provides a review on using aquatic weed Myriophyllum spicatum and its compost and selected agricultural wastes: corn silk, peach and apricot stones as biosorbents of lead ions. These biomasses were characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of the studies on adsorbent efficiency of these bio wastes show that they apart from their wide availabilities are enriched with appreciable biosorption capacities. The paper also provides a critical view concerning future applications of this kind waste biosorbents in treatment of heavy metal contaminated water.

Keywords

• lead
• biosorption
• waste biomass