Lead (Pb²⁺) Removal from Synthetic Aqueous Solution Using Food Waste Ash

AfsharniaM (Ph.D)¹, Shams M (M.Sc)², Sajjadi SA (Ph.D)¹, Qasemi  M (M.Sc)³

1. Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, ,Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.

2. Instructor, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.

3. Corresponding Author: M.Sc Student in Environmental Health Engineering, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Lead is a toxic heavy metal in some industrial wastewater that can pose hazards to the environment and human health. Adsorption is a promising technology for decontamination of water. The present study evaluated the efficiency of food waste ash as a cheap, environmental compatible and available adsorbent, in lead removal from synthetic aqueous solution.

Methods: In the presentexperimental study, lead removal by  using food waste ash in series of batch experiments were investigated. The influence of different parameters on adsorption such as adsorbent dose, contact time, pH, lead concentrationand adsorption temperature also studied. The experimental data finally were analyzed using excel and the adsorption behavior was fitted  to isotherm and kinetic models.

Results: The study showed that lead removal decreased with increasing lead concentration. In addition, it was found that lead adsorption increased by increasing pH and temperature. comparing adsorption capacity of food waste ash with the adsorbents used by scientist also showed the former have a remarkable higher capacity toward lead adsorption. The adsorption process also showed a good conformity to Freundlich model.

Conclusion: Current study endorsed the use of food waste ash in real adsorption systems, as a cheap and available adsorbent with high capacity toward lead.