Removal of lead from aqueous solution using low cost abundantly available adsorbents

The removal of poisonous Pb (II) from wastewater by different low-cost abundant adsorbents was investigated. Rice husks, maize cobs and sawdust, were used at different adsorbent/metal ion ratios. The influence of pH, contact time, metal concentration, adsorbent concentration on the selectivity and sensitivity of the removal process was investigated. The adsorption efficiencies were found to be pH dependent, increasing by increasing the solution pH in the range from 2.5 to 6.5. The equilibrium time was attained after 120 min and the maximum removal percentage was achieved at an adsorbent loading weight of 1.5 gm. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of adsorbents used for lead were measured and extrapolated using linear Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin isotherms and the experimental data were found to fit the Temkin isotherm model.