In-Situ Remediation of Metals in Industrial

Low cost biomaterials such as fruit peels of lemon (Citrus limonum), banana (Musa acuminate) and peels composite were studied as potential adsorbents for the remediation of industrial effluents contaminated with heavy metals like Pb, Cd, Ni and Cu. Batch adsorption mode was selected and adsorption was studied as a function of time till equilibrium between adsorbate and adsorbent was achieved. The present study reflects its significance in using fruit peels discarded as wastes as potential alternative to control the pollutants and reduce the volume of solid waste to be managed. Acid digested industrial wastewater samples indicated high concentration of Pb, Ni and Cd then permissible limits as per NEQ’s for industrial effluents, thus calling for control measures. The application of fruit peels and composite adsorbent showed optimum removal of metals at pH 6-6.5 and induced concentration of 30 mg/l. The adsorption process removed Pb most effectively showing maximum removal (88%) in comparison to other metals. The results also proposed that banana peel as more active adsorbent. The adsorbents characterization by FTIR spectra, records peak assigned to the presence of –OH, –C=O, –COO and –C–O indicates the involvement of these functional group in binding of metals to the surface of adsorbents. Freundlich isotherm and pseudo second order kinetic were found to best explain the adsorption process. This study recommends fruit peels as environment friendly and economical alternate for in-situ remediation of metals in industrial effluent