Adsorption studies of heavy metal ion by low cost agricultural by-products-Bajra powder

Abstract

The presence or heavy metals in the environment represent a very significant and long- term environmental hazard. Many industries such as electroplating industry, organic inorganic chemical, petrochemicals, fertilizer etc discharge effluent containing high level of metal ions. In the present paper, a study on the absorption or Cu(II), Cr(VI), Fe(II) and Ni(II) by an agricultural by-product i.e. powder of <i>Bajra </i>was carried out. The effects of solution pH. initial concentration, adsorbent amount, temperature and contact time were studied. In batch experiments, adsorption or these metal ions increases with decrease in initial concentration of metal ion and adsorbent dosage. Measured values have been found to follow Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms.