ADSORPTION OF LEAD IONS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION BY SAWDUST WASTE

Sawdust was used as a potential adsorption matrix for Pb2+ ions removal from aqueous solution at room temperature. A parameter such as particle size of the adsorbent at acidic pH was studied at room temperature to optimize the desired particle size to be utilized on a commercial scale for the decontamination of effluents using a batch adsorption technique for Pb2+ ions. The optimum particle size for Pb2+ ion removal was 0.71microns and the percentage removal at equilibrium condition was 99.1% which means that Pb2+ ion can be effectively removed from aqueous solution by sawdust waste. The mechanism for adsorption of Pb2+ ion onto sawdust waste involved ion exchange or the formation of hydroxyl complexes. The results obtained could be useful for the application of sawdust waste for heavy metal removal from industrial wastewater