Adsorption Capabilities of Activated Carbon Derived from Detarium microcarpum Seeds in Removing Co2+ and Pb2+ from Wastewater

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the efficiency of metals (Pb and Co) removal from solution using Detarium microcarpum seeds as adsorbent. The effect of initial concentration and adsorbent dosage on the adsorption process of these metals were studied, the percentage removal of these metals increased with increased in weight (0.5 -2.5g) in 50ml of the solution and the adsorption efficiency increased with increasing initial metal ion concentration (0.01-0.05 moldm−3). The percentage removal obtained for Lead and Cobalt were compared. The result of adsorption were fitted to Langmuir models and coefficients indicated favorable adsorption of Pb2+ and Co2+ ions on the adsorbents. The adsorption of Pb2+ and Co2+ in aqueous solution was in the following order (1400µm>420µm>150µm). More than 55.4% of studied Lead cations were removed by 1400µm, 47.2% by 420µm and 29.8% by 150µm. While for Cobalt cations only 53.2% by 1400µm, 38.6% by 420µm and 24% by 150µm respectively, from aqueous solution it was concluded that, activated Carbon derived from Detarium microcarpum seed is good in removing both lead and cobalt ions, which make it good absorbent.