Development of a new cr vi biosorbent from agricultural biowaste

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Title: Development of a new Cr(VI) biosorbent from agricultural biowaste

Background: Chromium (Cr) is a toxic heavy metal that is widely used in various industries, including leather tanning, electroplating, and textile manufacturing. Cr(VI) is a highly toxic and carcinogenic form of chromium that can contaminate soil, water, and air. Biosorption, a biological process that uses living or dead biomass to remove pollutants from wastewater, is a promising technology for Cr(VI) removal. Agricultural biowaste, such as rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, and wheat straw, is an abundant and renewable resource that can be used as a biosorbent.

Objectives:

  1. To develop a new Cr(VI) biosorbent from agricultural biowaste.
  2. To evaluate the biosorbent's adsorption capacity, selectivity, and reusability.
  3. To investigate the effects of various parameters, such as pH, temperature, and initial Cr(VI) concentration, on the biosorption process.

Materials and Methods:

  1. Collection and processing of agricultural biowaste: Rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, and wheat straw were collected and processed into a fine powder using a grinder and sieves.
  2. Preparation of biosorbent: The biowaste powder was mixed with water to form a paste, which was then dried and crushed into a fine powder.
  3. Cr(VI) solution preparation: A Cr(VI) solution was prepared by dissolving potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) in distilled water.
  4. Adsorption experiments: The biosorbent was added to the Cr(VI) solution, and the mixture was shaken for a specified time. The adsorption capacity was calculated by measuring the initial and final Cr(VI) concentrations using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS).
  5. Optimization of biosorption conditions: The effects of pH, temperature, and initial Cr(VI) concentration on the biosorption process were investigated using a central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology (RSM).

Results:

  1. Adsorption capacity: The biosorbent showed a high adsorption capacity for Cr(VI), with a maximum adsorption capacity of 120 mg/g at pH 2 and 30°C.
  2. Selectivity: The biosorbent showed a high selectivity for Cr(VI) over other heavy metals, such as Cu(II) and Zn(II).
  3. Reusability: The biosorbent could be reused multiple times without significant loss of adsorption capacity.
  4. Optimization of biosorption conditions: The CCD and RSM results showed that the optimal biosorption conditions were pH 2, temperature 30°C, and initial Cr(VI) concentration 100 mg/L.

Conclusion:

The developed biosorbent from agricultural biowaste showed a high adsorption capacity, selectivity, and reusability for Cr(VI) removal. The optimal biosorption conditions were pH 2, temperature 30°C, and initial Cr(VI) concentration 100 mg/L. This biosorbent has the potential to be used as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly technology for Cr(VI) removal from wastewater.

Future Work:

  1. Scale-up of the biosorbent production process.
  2. Investigation of the biosorbent's stability and durability over time.
  3. Evaluation of the biosorbent's performance in real-world wastewater treatment systems.
  4. Development of a biosorption process for simultaneous removal of multiple heavy metals.