Heavy Metal Removal Potential of Dried Salvinia Biomass

Abstract

Investigations were carried out to evaluate heavy metal adsorption capacity of Salvinia. Batch experiments showed that dry plant biomass possess good potential to adsorb heavy metals such as Ni, Co, Cr, Fe, and Cd. The metal adsorption increased with increase in initial metal concentration. The data obtained fitted well with Freundlich equilibrium isotherm. Further characterization of plant biomass showed presence of both acidic and basic surface functionalities that might facilitate binding of metal ions. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of plant biomass suggested involvement of carbonyl (C˭O), carboxyl (-COO), and hydroxyl (-OH) groups in binding heavy metals to plant biomass. The studies establish S. natans as an effective biosorbent for removing heavy metals from wastewater and further emphasize biomass utilization in wastewater treatment technologies.

KEYWORDS:

• adsorption
• Freundlich isotherm
• functional groups
• heavy metals
• Salvinia

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The financial assistance from Department of Science and Technology to Bhupinder Dhir is gratefully acknowledged.