Bio-sorption of cadmium ions from aqueous solution using dried Eichhornia crassipes

Abstract

Batch experimental technique was used to remove cadmium ions from aqueous solution using dried plants of Eichhornia crassipes (dried and pulverized into fine powdery form) as a low cost adsorbent. Fresh plants of Eichhornia crassipes were procured from the local pond of Raipur. The sample was thoroughly washed in de-ionized water then chopped into small pieces and air dried in shade at room temperature for three (3) days. The plant material was further dried in the oven at 60°C for 04 hours in order to blend them into a powdery form in a food blender. This powdered biomass was further used as bio-sorbent. The effects of different experimental conditions i.e. amount of adsorbent, particle size and contact time on metal adsorption was evaluated in this study. Removal of the cadmium ions with the sorbent increases with the increase in contact time. The highest removal of Cd was recorded with maximum taken contact time (240 minutes), smallest particle size (0.5mm) and highest taken amount of adsorbent (2.0gm).