Bioremediation: Immobilized Ficus Sycomorus Stem Bark Also Removes Heavy Metal Ions from Aqueous Solutions
F.E. Oluwayemisi, R. Usaku, A. Fari, and A. Akinterinwa (pp. 158-170)
Abtsract
Ficus sycomorus stem bark was immobilized using calcium alginate. The immobilized F. sycomorus stem bark (IFSSB) was shaken in aqueous solutions of seven (7) heavy metals ions in batch processes, and the removal of these ions was determined from the reduction in the initial concentrations of ions in the aqueous solutions as monitored using an atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). The percentage removal of the aqueous ions under a preset condition (initial concentration = 200 ppm, ambient temperature = 30 ± 0.5°C, adsorbent dosage = 1%, contact time = 2 hours) was recorded as follows: Cu2+ = 96.48%, Fe3+ = 99.50%, Pb2+ = 99.60%, Mn2+ = 95.20%, Cr3+ = 98.67%, Zn2+ = 98.46%, Cd2+ = 99.15%. Further, typical media conditions such as the ionic strength, contact time, pH, and the initial ion concentration were varied in the batch process to study the equilibrium conditions for the sorption process and the stability of the membrane. At optimum conditions, IFSSB exhibited very high sorption capacity for the studied ions; however, its highest efficiency was recorded for Pb2+ and Fe3+.