Background:
Modified bio-based adsorbents from plant sources can be used for pollution remediation by adsorption due to their low cost and availability in large quantities.
Objective:
In this study, the competitive biosorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) by Micropogonias undulates functionalised fish
scales (FFS) was conducted. The functionalisation was done by wet impregnation with Fe2+.
Method:
The biosorbent was characterised by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Branueur–Emmett–Teller (BET) analyses.
Results:
The major constituents in the FFS were calcium and phosphorus from the collagen and apatite on the scales. Optimum removal efficiency for both metals was >99% at 10 g/l dosage. It was observed that the Langmuir isotherm model
and the pseudo second order kinetics model were the best fit for the experimental data. The monolayer adsorption capacity
of FFS for Pb(II) and Cu(II) was observed to be 96.15 mg/g and 100 mg/g respectively.
Conclusion:
The study revealed that the competitive biosorption of heavy metals can be achieved (at a good adsorption
capacity) using functionalised Micropogonias undulates fish scales.
Competitive Biosorption and Phytotoxicity of Chlorophenols in Aqueous Solution to Canna indica L