Removal of chromium (vi) from aqueous solution using iron coated pumice

Abstract

In this study, iron-coated pumice (ICP) was investigated as adsorbent for the removal of Cr (VI). The study employed a batch method to investigate the efficiency of the adsorbent. Parameters that influence adsorption such as: contact time, pH, adsorbent dose, and initial concentration of Cr (VI) have been studied. Optimum parameters for the adsorption of 10 mg/ L Cr (VI) were found to be: pH: 2, adsorbent dose: 10 g/L, and contact time: 4 h. A estimated adsorption capacity of 0.27 mg/L was found at optimal conditions using the Lagmuir adsorption isotherm model prediction. The results of kinetic models showed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model was found to correlate well to the experimental data. Iron coated pumice is a good and cheap adsorbent with high potential for the adsorption and removal of chromium from contaminated water sources and could therefore serve as effective and efficient material for treating drinking water. In addition, it will help to enable people to use environmentally friendly and easily operational methods in developing countries as alternatives of advanced technologies.