Removal of Cadmium [Cd (II)] ion by Activated Carbon Prepared from Eichhornia Crassipes Mart (ACECM)

Abstract

Cadmium is the most toxic heavy metal which is now entering food chain by water. Cadmium and its compounds are, compared to other heavy metals, relatively water soluble. They are therefore also more mobile in soil, generally more bio-available and tend to bioaccumulation. Removal of cadmium [Cd (II)] from aqueous solutions using activated carbon prepared from Eichhornia crassipes Mart. (ACECM), a perennial aquatic plant (or hydrophyte) was studied. The adsorbent made from different part (root, petiole and leaf) of water hyacinth were used to remove of the Cd (II) from domestic wastewater. The influence of various parameters such as effect of pH, agitation speed, adsorbent dose, contact time, and initial concentration of metal ions and on the removal Cd (II) was evaluated. Results indicated that maximum removal efficiency (76.58%) of Cd (II) at pH values 4.0 for all part i.e., root, petiole and leaf while the maximum adsorption capacity (70%) of ACECM for metal ion was 2 g l-1 in all parts. 70% removal efficiency was observed at 45 rpm agitation speed in all parts while contact time was non-significant.