Abstract
In the present work, kaolin sample from Gbako Local Government, Niger State, Nigeria was used as an adsorbent for the removal chloride, COD, BOD, sulphate, chromium, cadmium, zinc and the reduction of total alkalinity in tannery wastewater. The kaolin sample was pretreated to enhance its adsorption capacity and then characterized using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), High Resolution Electron Microscopy (HRSEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX), Selective Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) and Brunauer Emmett-Teller (BET). The specific surface area, pore volume and pore diameter of the kaolin were 17 m2/g, 0.018 cm3/g and 3.587 nm, respectively. The adsorption methods of the parameters onto the kaolin were investigated as functions of contact time, adsorbent dosage and temperature. Equilibrium isotherms for the adsorption parameters were carried out experimentally and the adsorption data correlated very well with Jovanovic and Redlich-Peterson models. Furthermore, the adsorption kinetics followed the Avrami model. From the results of the study it was established that kaolin from Gbako, Nigeria can serve as an economic, safe and effective natural adsorbent for the pollutants removal from tannery wastewater.
Highlights
Environmental pollutants and their toxicity are a global concern due to their adverse effects and the severe health challenges they pose
Kaolin obtained from Gbako Local Government in Niger State, Nigeria was used as an adsorbent for the removal of total alkalinity, chloride, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), sulphate, Cr, Cd and Zn
Batch adsorption techniques used in this study show that beneficiated kaolin significantly affected the contact time, adsorbent dosage and temperature of wastewater
Summary
Environmental pollutants and their toxicity are a global concern due to their adverse effects and the severe health challenges they pose. The situation has moribund due to the Federal government's banning of wet blue and crust exports. This has led to the closure of many tannery industries across the nation, making the foreign-owned tanneries to invest in new equipment and types of machinery. As a result of this development, the local tannery industries have moved closer to villages and they engage in improper disposal of tannery waste into rivers and lakes. The release of these toxic substances has a negative impact on man, plant and other forms of abiotic and biotics
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