Zinc abatement from simulated and industrial wastewaters using sugarcane biomass

Abstract

The use of heavy metals and their compounds in industrial applications has resulted in their occurrence in various environ mental media including water bodies. Conventional methods of heavy metal removal from wastewaters are very expensive, when available, especially in developing countries. This study therefore assessed the potential of sugarcane biomass to remove zinc from standard solutions and industrial (paint and textile) wastewaters. Parameters studied include contact time, biomass weight, metal concentration, pH, agitation, temperature and particle size. Physico-chemical characteristics of biomass were also studied. Adsorption of zinc increased with increases in contact time, biomass weight, pH and agitation speed, while adsorption decreased with increasing particle size and for temperatures above 50 oC. Sugarcane biomass was responsible for over 90% adsorption of Zn 2+ in both effluents. Under conditions of agitation, 100% adsorption was achieved.

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