Utilization of biomass for adsorption of heavy metals

Date

6-2000

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Maxima E. Flavier

Co-adviser

Veronica P. Migo

Committee Member

Jose H. Santos

Abstract

The potential of biomass/agricultural residues such as coirdust, sawdust sugarcane bagasse to adsorb heavy metals was investigated. Synthetic solutions of Cr (VI), Ph (II), Zn (11), Cu (II) were prepared awl used as adsorbate. Wastewaters from textile and steel industries were adsorbed using the agricultural residues, which were ground to pass 40mesh sieve. The wastewater samples were analyzed for pH. UV-Vis absorption spectra and heavy metal content before and after adsorption. The saturation curve showed that 50mL of wastewater can be adsorbed by 10 grams of coirdust, 15 grams of sugarcane bagasse and 25 grams of sawdust. The maximum adsorption capacity (mUg) of biomass was obtained after 1hour adsorption for both types of wastewater. Absorption spectra of the filtrates obtained after adsorption experiment were determined using a Beckman Scanning Spectrophotometer from 190 to 800 nm. The spectra obtained showed absorption peak at the UV region which indicated that there are substances with conjugated bonds, such as water soluble tannins. which were extracted during the adsorption process. The pH change of wastewater samples after adsorption showed different trends. The pH value of wastewater from steel industry was found to be 2.15. which increased to pH 3.72(coirdust), 3.41(sawdust), and 2.77(sugarcane bagasse) after adsorption. On the other hand, the initial pH value of textile wastewater of 9.19 decreased after adsorption to pH 7.68, 9.11, 8.00 for coirdust, sawdust and sugarcane bagasse, respectively. Removal of heavy metals from synthetic solution was observed to be highest using coirdust with values of 90.8%(Cr), 45.19 % (Pb). 27.51 % (Cu) and 17.42 % (Zn). The different agricultural residues were found to have adsorptive preference as follows: Chromium> Lead > Copper > Zinc. Thus, agricultural residues without treatment are found capable of removing heavy metals from synthetic solutions and wastewaters by adsorption.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2000 C4 G85

Document Type

Thesis

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS