Removal of lead from aqueous solutions using an immobilized biomaterial derived from a plant biomass

Because of the severity of heavy metal contamination and potential adverse health impact on the public, a tremendous effort has taken place to purify waters containing toxic metal ions. Traditional methods which have been employed prove to be costly and prohibitive for low level waste remediation. Biosorption is presented as an alternative to traditional physicochemical means for removing toxic metals from ground and wastewaters. Most recently, plant based biomaterials have been of interest. The bark of Hemidesmus indicus, an extensively available plant biomass commonly called as Indian sarsaparilla was used as biomaterial for removal of lead from aqueous streams. Batch experiments were carried out with immobilized biomass of H. indicus (IPBFIX) to optimize the experimental parameters like effect of contact time, initial metal concentration, initial IPBFIX concentration and co-metal ion effect on biosorption of lead from contaminated waters. Column experiments were performed under flow conditions for regeneration and recycle efficiency of IPBFIX and was found to be effective for three cycles. Elution experiments were carried out to remove lead ions from loaded IPBFIX and 100% elution was achieved with a 0.1M HNO(3) solution. The effectiveness of the IPBFIX for biosorption of lead ions was demonstrated using the wastewater samples emanating from a non-ferrous metal industry and the results are presented in this paper. The results from these studies will be useful for a novel phytofiltration technology to remove and recover lead from wastewaters and this can also be well adapted for secondary treatment or polishing of wastewaters. An attempt has been made to remove lead from the lead polluted waters (both ground and surface) from an industrially contaminated sites.