Abstract
Increase in concentration of heavy metals ions in our water bodies is of great concern. This work is aimed at providing an environmental and cost effective adsorbent for the removal of Pb, Ni, Cr and Cd from petrochemical effluent. Termite soil was pretreated and used for the sorption process and process parameters such as contact time and particle size of the adsorbent was varied. Optimum contact time of 60 minutes was obtained for Pb and Cd ions while 40 minutes was obtained for Ni and Cr ions for all particle sizes of adsorbent used. Initial reaction rate H(mg/g.min) was of the order for the different particle sized adsorbent, 75mm: Pb>Cd>Cr>Ni, 212mm: Cd>Pb>Cr>Ni and 300mm: Cd>Pb>Ni>Cr. Pseudo first order kinetics had less difference between experimental and theoretical adsorption capacity (Qa - Qb) with R2 close to that obtained for Pseudo-second order kinetics. Hence it is considered as the kinetic order for the adsorption process. Percentage of the studied ions removed from the wastewater solution shows the suitability of the adsorbent sequestering of heavy metal ions from industrial wastewater.
Highlights
Water is an indispensable natural resource that is vital for life
Optimum percentage removal of Ni and Cr ions occurred for all the particle size used at 40 minutes contact time while for Pb and Cd ions occurred at 60minutes
Petrochemical effluents are a major source of heavy metals into the environment
Summary
Water is an indispensable natural resource that is vital for life. it is difficult to find it in pure form due to human activities. European Public Health Alliance (2009) reported that greater percentage of the world’s populations cannot find clean water. Rain water and sewage water pollution, industrial discharged effluents are major sources of water pollution.Polluted water consists of industrial discharged effluents, sewage water and rain water pollution (Ashraf et al, 2010). In Nigeria, today,it has been reported that wastewater from industrial effluents containing heavy metals most especially liquid in the form of wastewater or effluents into water ways or bodies (Ashraf et al, 2010). Heavy metals can enter the food chain because of their high solubility in water. These nonbiodegradable specieshave been proven hazardous and tend to cause a number of health problems, diseases and disorders (WHO, 2006)
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