Abstract

The potential of Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit) seed powder in adsorption of chromium(VI) from aqueous solution was studied using batch technique. The performance of the adsorption process was evaluated against contact time, pH, adsorbent dose, temperature and initial chromium(VI) ion concentration. The influence of the presence of interfering anionic species including chlorides, nitrates and sulphates on the adsorption process was also evaluated. The adsorption of chromium(VI) by Jackfruit seed powder reached equilibrium after 60 minutes. Higher chromium(VI) adsorption was observed at lower pH values with maximum removal (96.05%) occurring at pH 2. A great deal of adsorption (92.53%) was observed at the adsorbent dosage level of 1.0 g/100 ml solution. There was an improvement in the adsorption process when the temperature was increased from 25&#176C (95.35%) to 60&#176C (99.56%) followed by a decrease to 98.76% at 70&#176C. Adsorption decreased with increasing initial chromium(VI) ion concentration. The adsorption followed both Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models with correlation coefficients of 0.998 and 0.994 respectively, and Qm of 0.57 mg/g. The presence of nitrate and chloride ions significantly lowered the adsorption, with all the p values 0.05. From the obtained Qm, Jackfruit Seed Powder is a good adsorbent for the aqueous solutions of Cr(VI). The adsorption process is slowed by the presence of the interfering anionic species.

Highlights

  • The performance of the adsorption process was evaluated against contact time, pH, adsorbent dose, temperature and initial chromium(VI) ion concentration

  • Higher chromium(VI) adsorption was observed at lower pH values with maximum removal (96.05%) occurring at pH 2

  • As the pH increases, sites become less protonated and the electrostatic force of attraction between Jackfruit seed Powder (JSP) and chromium(VI) anionic species decreases leading to reduction in perecentage adsorption

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Summary

Introduction

Chromium(VI) is one of the major heavy metals of great concern in wastewater. Most of the chromium contamination in Uganda arises from industrial activities which include leather tanning, cement mining, electroplating, photography, dye manufacturing, and fertilizer industries. Majority of these industries are small scale and cannot afford the conventional methods of treating wastewater containing chromium. These industries channel untreated or partially treated effluents into the neighbouring water bodies, especially Lake Victoriaor deposit precipitated chromium into landfills from where it leaches into the underground water [1]. There is a need to search for cheaper and environmentally friendly alternative methods to alleviate the chromium pollution challenge

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