Biosorption kinetics of heavy metals by leaf biomass of Jatropha curcas in single and multi-metal system

Environ Monit Assess. 2014 Mar;186(3):1679-87. doi: 10.1007/s10661-013-3485-8. Epub 2013 Oct 23.

Abstract

Biosorption of Cu(2+), Zn(2+), and Cr(6+) from aqueous solutions by leaf biomass of Jatropha curcas was investigated as a function of biomass concentration, initial metal ion concentration, contact time, and pH of the solution systematically. The aim of this study was to optimize biosorption process and find out a suitable kinetic model for the metal removal in single and multi-metal system. The experimental data were analyzed using two sorption kinetic models, viz., pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order equations, to determine the best fit equation for the biosorption of metal ions Cu(2+), Zn(2+), and Cr(6+) onto the leaf biomass of J. curcas in different metal systems. The experimental data fitted well the pseudo-second-order equation and provided the best correlation for the biosorption process. The findings of the present investigation revealed that J. curcas leaf biomass was an eco-friendly and cost-effective biosorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater.

MeSH terms

  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Biomass
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Jatropha / metabolism*
  • Kinetics
  • Metals, Heavy / analysis
  • Metals, Heavy / metabolism*
  • Wastewater
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / metabolism*

Substances

  • Metals, Heavy
  • Waste Water
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical