Utilization of Blighia sapida (Akee apple) pod in the removal of lead, cadmium and cobalt ions from aqueous solution

Abstract

Blighia sapida pod was utilized as a low cost adsorbent to remove Pb(II), Cd(II) and Co(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The effect of pH, contact time, initial metal ion concentration, and adsorbent dosage were evaluated using batch adsorption experiment at 32°C. pH dependence study of the biosorption process revealed that maximum pH for Pb(II), Cd(II) and Co(II) ions removal from aqueous solution occurred at 6. Maximum equilibrium was attained at contact time 60 min for the three metal ions. The adsorption capacities of B. sapida pod increased as initial metal ion concentration and adsorbent dosage increases. Equilibrium data fitted better to the Freundlich isotherm model than the Langmuir isotherm model. The biosorption study showed that B. sapida pod had the potentials for heavy metals removal from aqueous solution. Key words: Utilization, Blighia sapida, lead, cadmium, cobalt, aqueous solution.