Removal of chromium from synthetic wastewater by adsorption onto Ethiopian low-cost Odaracha adsorbent
Yohanis Birhanu, Seyoum Leta, Getachew Adam Workneh
Abstract
Abstract Nowadays, Cr-loaded wastewater released from industrial activities pose an increasing risk to human health and the environment. Adsorption processes have been widely used for the removal of chromium from the waste stream. In this regard, natural adsorbents are the most preferable and cost-effective methods. In this study, the efficiency of Odaracha adsorbent as a novel green technology in the removal of chromium from synthetic wastewater is analyzed. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of contact time, pH, adsorbent dose, and initial concentration of adsorbate on Cr removal. The surface morphology of Odaracha adsorbent was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction. Experimental results showed that Odaracha adsorbent could perform effectively in a wide range of experimental conditions. However, in optimum experimental conditions, such as 180-min contact time, pH 3, and 15 g/L of adsorbent dose Odaracha adsorbent removes 94.68% of Cr from an aqueous solution having 110 mg/L of Cr concentration.