Title: Biosorption of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solution by water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

Authors: R. Gandhimathi; S.T. Ramesh; V.M. Arun; P.V. Nidheesh

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli – 620 015, Tamilnadu, India ' Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli – 620 015, Tamilnadu, India ' Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli – 620 015, Tamilnadu, India ' Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli – 620 015, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract: The biosorption of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solution by raw water hyacinth (RWH) and acid treated water hyacinth (TWH) was studied as a function of time, biosorbent dosage and pH. The kinetic results obeyed well the pseudo second-order model. Maximum biosorption capacities for RWH and TWH were measured as 0.49, 6.56 mg/g for Cu(II) and 2.66, 10.71 mg/g for Zn(II), respectively. FT-IR analysis indicated that carboxyl groups in water hyacinth may be involved in the mechanism of Cu(II) and Zn(II) adsorption.

Keywords: biosorption; kinetics; water hyacinth; isotherm; heavy metal removal; heavy metals; copper; zinc; aqueous solutions; Eichhornia crassipes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2013.054243

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2013 Vol.11 No.4, pp.365 - 386

Received: 13 Jul 2010
Accepted: 16 Jun 2011
Published online: 20 Sep 2014 *

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