Bioremediation of Toxic Lead From Industrial Effluent Using An Agricultural Waste, Melon Husk Activated With Urea
- October 19, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS Team
- Categories: IJRIAS, Microbiology
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume V, Issue IX, September 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186
Nwankwo Ogonna D.1, Okoye Okechukwu N.N.2, Dan-Nwankwo Chiagozie N.3
1Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
2Department of Industrial Chemistry, Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
3Global Health, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
ABSTRACT:- Lead which is toxic to the environment because of its threat on living organisms is one of the common components of industrial effluent. Urea-activated melon husk was used as an adsorbent to remove lead from simulated industrial effluent. Exposure times, adsorbate concentrations and adsorbent dosages were varied for the most suitable set of conditions for the adsorption process. The Adsorption isotherms correlated fine with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, with their R2 values 0.9999 and 1 respectively. Data from the experiment were also assessed to discover the kinetic characteristics of the adsorption process. Adsorption process for the target heavy metal ion was found to follow pseudo-second order adsorption kinetics with r2 value of 0.9995. Urea-activated melon husk, a readily available adsorbent, was found to be efficient in the uptake of Pb2+ ions in industrial effluents, thus, indicating an excellent alternative for the removal of heavy metals from industrial waste water.
Keywords: Adsorption, Heavy metal, Lead, Waste water, Melon husk, Urea
Introduction
The significance of water for the support of life cannot be overstated. Its importance in our homes, in agriculture, and in industry, is very enormous. Therefore it is necessary to know that when there is a reduction of water due to pollution, or inconsiderate use will lead to grave penalties (Owa, 2013). Water pollution as a result of heavy metals contamination from activities of industries is growing immensely and at a global alarm (Tripathi and Ranjan, 2015); thus, it is becoming a concern due to their toxicity to vegetation and animals. Retrieval of heavy metals generated from industrial effluents continue to be more and more essential as the society understands the need for reusing and preservation of metals that are important (Salehzadeh, 2013). Lead (Pb), Hg, Cu, Cd, Zn, Ni, Cr belong to the most common contaminants in industrial effluents. These metals can be poisonous to man and other living entities, even at low concentrations. Lead (Pb), when found at a higher concentration will result to severe impairment to the nervous system and affects the function of the brain cells.
