Biosorption of Heavy Metals by Biomass

Authors: GÖKSEL AKÇİN

Abstract: Wetland plants are successfully used in the biosorption of heavy metals in natural and constructed wetlands. In this study, the removal of heavy metals by water hyacinth [ Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.)Solms)] were investigated. The plants were grown under control in the Turkish climate. The biosorption was dependent on factors such as metal concentration, constant temperature, pH and relative moisture. The plants were exposed to different metal concentrations of Chromium(III), Chromium(VI) and Copper(II) in the flow rate system. Water hyacinths are able to remove Chromium(III), Chromium(VI) and Copper(II) rapidly from the aqueous system by root biosorption, but Chromium(VI) in a low concentration had higher biosorption in leaves than in roots. Water hyacinth may be a good indicator because of these properties. Also in this study, regular and irregular periods of heavy metal biosorption were investigated.

Keywords: biomass, heavy metals, water treatment.

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