An alternative method of removing Cr (VI) from aquatic solution using chemically modified cone biomass and Fomitopsis pinicola

Abstract

We report the adsorption of Cr (VI) ions from aqueous solution by forest waste. Two adsorbents were prepared from cone biomass and Fomitopsis pinicola. To study the kinetics of both were used three particular size (<0.5, 0.5-1, 1-2 mm). It was found that adsorbents chemically modified with a HCl (activation 2mol/L, activated for 60 min) demonstrated better Cr(VI) removal capabilities as compared to pure adsorbents in terms of their adsorption rate. The optimum conditions for removal of Cr(VI) were found to be particular size <0,5 mm, pH=1, contact time 10 min, adsorbent dosage 20g/L, concentration of Cr(VI) 100 mg/L, temperature 25 ± 1°C, rpm 200. The percent removal at these optimum conditions was found to be 100 % for both biosorbents. The Langmuir model fitted the equilibrium data better than the Freundlich isotherm. The maximum uptake capacities for 40.98 mg/g and 45.05 mg/g for cone biomass and Fomitopsis pinicola, respectively. To study the effect of other ions on the Cr (VI) removal by both biosorbents, electroplating industry wastewater was collected from an industry. Overall, the experimental results suggest that cone biomass and Fomitopsis pinicola could be used as low cost alternative adsorbents for the treatment of low concentration Cr (VI) containing wastewater.