Abstract
This study is aimed at developing a value added biosorption product and a cost effective biotechnology for the uptake of heavy metals and organic compounds from aqueous media. The practical problems of cellulose solubility at low pH aqueous systems, gel forming behavior and mass transfer limitations were overcome in this study by coating bamboo culms cellulosic on bamboo culms carbon to form a rigid matrix structure of better mechanical strength, the coating process yielded a stable granular composite adsorbent that was stable under acidic conditions. The adsorption capacity was evaluated by measuring the extent of adsorption of chromium, cadmium, and lead metal ions, from aqueous media under equilibrium and reaction conditions. Equilibrium data at optimized condition yielded the following uptake efficiency values: 93% Cr, 76%Pb, and 82% Cd. The composite compared with other adsorbents also prepared showed better performance.
Highlights
Environmental studies have revealed widespread contamination of water by different chemicals used in the chemical industry during manufacturing process[1]
The carbon particles that passed through the screen were collected, characterized and designated as Bamboo culms carbon (BCC)
The electrostatic interaction between cellulose and the more negatively charged ABCC is improved and this prevents any tendency of cellulose to agglomerate
Summary
Environmental studies have revealed widespread contamination of water by different chemicals used in the chemical industry during manufacturing process[1]. At least 20 metals are classified as toxic and half of these are emitted into the environment in quantities that pose risks to human health[2] Most of these chemicals, which are toxic to human health and aquatic lives cannot be recycled and are discharged into the environment via streams, rivers, lakes. Some of these constitute the major source of contaminants in portable water supply to humans and livestock. These chemicals find their way into ground water, which cause pollution and could impair plant growth and result to a great risk to human health and the environment[2,3]
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