Removal of heavy metals and arsenic from aqueous solution using textile wastes from denim industry

In this study, the denim fiber scraps were reused as an alternative low-cost sorbent for the removal of heavy metals Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺ and arsenic from aqueous solutions. Results showed that this textile waste was an effective sorbent for the removal of these heavy metal ions and offered a better removal performance than those reported for other synthetic and natural sorbents such as activated carbons and zeolites. On the other hand, raw and metal-loaded denim wastes were also useful for the removal of arsenic (V) from aqueous solutions and their sorption capacities were higher than 1.5 mg/g. In particular, the presence of Pb²⁺ ions on the surface of denim wastes improved significantly its arsenic (V) sorption performance. In summary, the reuse of denim textile wastes in wastewater treatment can be considered as an eco-friendly application that could be useful for waste management and also for reducing the production costs in this important industrial sector.