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Adsorption Studies of Heavy Metals by Low-Cost Adsorbents
OKOLI, JU & EZUMA, IBE
Abstract
In this study, removal of toxic metals Cr(VI) from artificially contaminated
water has been investigated with the aim of detoxifying industrial effluents before their safe
disposal onto land or into the river. Two low-cost natural adsorbents, Palm Kernel fiber and
Coconut husks, were used to remove Cr(VI) ion from synthesized waste water. The effects of,
initial concentration, contact time, on adsorption efficiency were investigated. Adsorption
isotherm and kinetics were also studied. Generally, the result showed an increase in removal
efficiency with increase in contact time and decrease of initial concentration. Kinetic study
revealed that pseudo-second order model is suitable to explain all our experimental data. The
adsorption equilibrium data correlate well with Freundlich model, with regression coefficient,
R2. The results showed that efficiencies of ACNH and APKF for Cr(vi) ion removal were
91.14%, and 84.89% respectively. High adsorption capacity of the tested adsorbents makes it
preferable and very cheap and environmental-friendly alternative adsorption material.
Keywords
Adsorption; isotherm; kinetics; heavy metals
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