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Abstract
Most plant materials are freely and abundantly available and can be used for the removal of heavy metals from effluents. This study investigates the effects of equilibrium, kinetic, and thermodynamic parameters on biosorption of Co(II) ions onto the plant source Erythrina variegata orientalis leaf powder. The biosorption studies are carried out in a batch process. A significant increase in percentage removal of Co(II) is observed as pH value is increased from 2 to 5 and the percentage removal is maximum at pH = 7. The maximum sorption capacity is 8.3 mg/g in the range of variables investigated. The experimental data are well represented by Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms indicating favorable biosorption. The biosorption follows second-order kinetics. The biosorption is exothermic, irreversible, and spontaneous.