This work was conducted in line with the efforts to remove coloured materials from waste water using non –
conventional techniques. Therefore, this study investigated the effectiveness and efficiency of melon
(Cucumeropsis mannii) peels in the removal of ultramarine red, from aqueous solution. The dependence of
sorption parameters (contact time, dosage, temperature and pH) on dye removal were examined. Results obtained
revealed that increase in the contact time between 20-100 minutes increased the dye adsorption. The maximum
percentage of ultramarine red dye removed was obtained at 100 minutes. However, increase in dye concentration
from 10 – 50mg/L, resulted to an increase in sorption capacity (0437-1.062mg/g). The pH increase resulted to
increase in ultramarine red adsorption. Meanwhile ultramarine red adsorption was also observed to increase from
0.054-0.079mg/g, while the temperature was varied between 30o-70oC. The data generated were further fitted to
both Langmuir and Freunlich Isotherms. The separation factor (SF) from Langmuir was 0.48. While the
coefficient of determination from Freundlich (R2) was 0.976, indicating that both models were favourable to the
adsorption process. Pseudo-second order kinetics produced a better description of the adsorption process than
the pseudoThis work was conducted in line with the efforts to remove coloured materials from waste water using non –
conventional techniques. Therefore, this study investigated the effectiveness and efficiency of melon
(Cucumeropsis mannii) peels in the removal of ultramarine red, from aqueous solution. The dependence of
sorption parameters (contact time, dosage, temperature and pH) on dye removal were examined. Results obtained
revealed that increase in the contact time between 20-100 minutes increased the dye adsorption. The maximum
percentage of ultramarine red dye removed was obtained at 100 minutes. However, increase in dye concentration
from 10 – 50mg/L, resulted to an increase in sorption capacity (0437-1.062mg/g). The pH increase resulted to
increase in ultramarine red adsorption. Meanwhile ultramarine red adsorption was also observed to increase from
0.054-0.079mg/g, while the temperature was varied between 30o-70oC. The data generated were further fitted to
both Langmuir and Freunlich Isotherms. The separation factor (SF) from Langmuir was 0.48. While the
coefficient of determination from Freundlich (R2) was 0.976, indicating that both models were favourable to the
adsorption process. Pseudo-second order kinetics produced a better description of the adsorption process than
the pseudo-first order kinetics. The melon peel is a good adsorbent for the sorption of ultramarine red in aqueous
solution.