Abstract

In the present study, agricultural waste Zea maize leaves powder (MLP) was used for the removal of cadmium (II) from the aqueous solutions. The adsorption characteristics of maize leaf as a function of pH (2-7), adsorbent dose (0.2-0.5 g), temperature (20-30oC), contact time (0-120 min) and initial metal concentration (1-15 mg L-1 ) were studied. The biosorption of cadmium (II) on MLP was dependent on pH, adsorbent dose, temperature, contact time and initial metal concentration .The experimental results were analyzed in terms of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) measurements reveal that the presence of hydroxyl, amino and carboxylic functional groups on the surface of MLP which provide the major biosorption sites for the metal binding. The results obtained could be useful for the application of agricultural wastes for heavy metal removal from the industrial waste water.

Key words: Bioremediation; Cadmium (II); Agricultural wastes; Adsorption isotherms; FT-IR; Wastewater