SORPTION POTENTIAL OF COPPER IONS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS ONTO Cicer arietinum HUSK

Abstract

Efficient removal of copper from aqueous media was carried out using Cicer arietinum husk, a biosorbent. Sorption phenomenon was studied in detail by varying solution pH, contact time and sorbent dose. The results indicated the significant enhanced sorption of copper ions after thermal (100-800° C) treatments of biosorbent. About 100% removal of copper was achieved by thermally treated sorbent in 1.30 h, therefore, C. arietinum husk appears to be an efficient and cost effective biosorbent to remove copper ions from industrial effluents. The method used is convenient, efficient and free from interferences, hence it can be adopted for industrial waste water treatment.