Title: Use of various agricultural wastes for the removal of heavy metal ions

Authors: Sibel Kahraman, Nukhet Dogan, Sema Erdemoglu

Addresses: Faculty of Education, Department of Sciences, Inonu University, 44280 Malatya, Turkey. ' Institute of Sciences, Department of Biology, Inonu University, 44280 Malatya, Turkey. ' Art and Science Faculty, Department of Chemistry, Inonu University, 44280 Malatya, Turkey

Abstract: There is a need to develop innovative and alternative technologies that can remove toxic heavy metal pollutants from wastewater. In this study, two agricultural residues, cotton stalks and apricot seeds, were used to adsorb copper and lead in solutions. Sorption capacities of agricultural wastes were significantly affected by solution pH, adsorbent mass and adsorbent particle size. The adsorption efficiency of two agricultural waste was in the order cotton stalk > apricot seed and the agricultural wastes adsorbed metal ions in the order of Pb > Cu. Treatment of these metals with agricultural wastes reduced their toxic effects on P. aeruginosa. This reduction in toxic effect is important both in respect of environmental biotechnology and waste detoxification. This study has indicated that cotton stalk and apricot seed could be employed as low-cost alternatives in wastewater treatment for the removal of heavy metals.

Keywords: agricultural waste; apricot seeds; biosorption; cotton stalks; heavy metals; toxicity; wastewater treatment; water pollution; metal removal; copper adsorption; lead adsorption; environmental biotechnology; waste detoxification.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2008.020797

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2008 Vol.34 No.1/2/3/4, pp.275 - 284

Published online: 16 Oct 2008 *

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