Effect of pH on lead removal from water using tree fern as the sorbent

Bioresour Technol. 2005 Jul;96(11):1292-6. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2004.10.011. Epub 2005 Jan 1.

Abstract

The sorption of lead from water onto an agricultural by-product, tree fern, was examined as a function of pH. The sorption processes were carried out using an agitated and baffled system. Pseudo-second-order kinetic analyses were performed to determine the rate constant of sorption, the equilibrium sorption capacity, and the initial sorption rate. Application of the pseudo-second-order kinetics model produced very high coefficients of determination. Results showed the efficiency of tree fern as a sorbent for lead. The optimum pH for lead removal was between 4 and 7, with pH 4.9 resulting in better lead removal. Ion exchange occurred in the initial reaction period. In addition, a relation between the change in the solution hydrogen ion concentration and equilibrium capacity was developed and is presented.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Absorption
  • Ferns*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Kinetics
  • Lead / pharmacokinetics*
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Plant Stems / metabolism*
  • Water Purification / methods*

Substances

  • Lead