Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography
Open Access

Abstract

Exploitation of Telfairia occidentals as adsorbent for the adsorption of Cd 2+ , Ni 2+ and Pb 2+ ions from simulated aqueous solutions was investigated . The results clearly demonstrate the effect of adsorbent dose and initial metal ion concentration as important experimental parameters on the adsorption process in batch experiments . The maximum evaluated adsorbent dose and initial metal ion concentration for Cd 2+ , Ni 2+ and Pb 2+ uptake by both unmodified and modified Telfairia occidentals waste biomass were 99.999g Cd 2+ , 88.900g Ni 2+ , 99.999g Pb 2+ for the unmodified and 99.799g Cd 2+ , 99.897g Ni 2+ , 99.999g Pb 2+ for the modified; 99.985mg/l Cd 2+ , 99.999mg/l Ni 2+ , 99.557mg/l Pb 2+ for the unmodified Telfairia occidentals and 99.734mg/l Cd 2+ , 99.045mg/l Ni 2+ , 95.489mg/l Pb 2+ for the modified. Generally low adsorbent dose increases the metals uptake while efficient removal of metals was achieved at increased initial metal ion concentration. The adsorption data were well correlated with Temkin, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich adsorption isotherm models. Hence the use of Telfairia occidentals has been recommended as one of the ways of reducing the concentrations of toxic heavy metals in wastewater.

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