%0 Journal Article
%T Adsorption of Lead (II) and Copper (II) Ions from Mono Synthetic Aqueous Solutions Using Bio-Char from <i>Ficus natalensis</i> Fruits
%A Godfrey Musumba
%A Caroline Nakiguli
%A Cranmer Lubanga
%A Paul Mukasa
%A Emmanuel Ntambi
%J Journal of Encapsulation and Adsorption Sciences
%P 71-84
%@ 2161-4873
%D 2020
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/jeas.2020.104004
%X Many science-based institutions in most developing
countries use heavy metal containing salts in practical teaching sessions. The
commonly used chemicals are the salts of lead (II) and copper (II) and the
wastes generated end up into the environment when untreated. Thus, a study was
done to remove lead (II) and copper (II) ions from mono synthetic aqueous
solution using bio-char from &lt;i&gt;</span><i><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Ficus</span></i> <i><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">natalensis</span></i><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">&lt;/i&gt; fruits (FNF).
This was done at varied pH, contact time, temperature, bio-char dosage level,
salinity and metal ion concentration using the batch approach. The residual
metal concentrations were determined using the atomic absorption
spectrophotometer. The optimum pH for the adsorption of copper (II) and lead
(II) ions was found to be 4.0 and 5.0 respectively. The maximum percentage
adsorption of copper (II) and lead (II) by the FNF bio-char was established at
60 minutes contact time, 47.5</span></span></span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">&amp;degC</span></span></span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> and 0.4 g adsorbent dose. Increase in the metal ion
concentration and the presence of interfering ions in the aqueous solution lead
to decrease in the percentage adsorption. The highest adsorption capacity was
found to be </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">161.29 mg/g</span></span></span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> and </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">1250</span></span></span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> mg/g for copper (II) and lead (II) ions
respectively. The thermodynamic parameters indicated the feasibility of the
adsorption of copper (II) and lead (II) on the bio-char of FNF. Thus, bio-char
from FNF may be used as an adsorbent in waste management where copper (II) and
lead (II) ions are present </span></span></span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">at a concentration range of between 5 and 100
%K Bio-Char
%K &lt
%K i&gt
%K Ficus natalensis&lt
%K /i&gt
%K Fruits
%K Heavy Metal
%K Wastewater
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=104482