Author : Waqar A. Abdulnabi ,Yossor R. Abdulmajeed and Hind J. Hadi

In this study, removal of lead Pb(II) and zinc Zn(II) from aqueous solutions is investigated using Imperata Cylinderica, a natural plant. During the removal process, batch technique is used to determine the effects of pH(3, 4, 4.5 and 5), plant dose (0.5, 1, 2 and 3 g), metal ion concentration (10 ,20, 50, 70 and 100 mg/L) on adsorption capacity are studied. The maximum uptake of Pb (II) and Zn(II) was 3.772 mg/g and 3.489 mg/g respectively from 50 mg/L of metal solution of 120 minutes contact time at pH 5. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were used to represent the experimental data and equilibrium data. It is fitted well with both models but the Langmuir isotherm for lead and Zinc was better from Freundlich isotherm. The effect of contact time was studied on the rate of removal of Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solution by Imperata cylinderica was found. The rates of adsorption of lead and zinc were rapid initially within the first 20 minutes and reached a maximum in about 120 minutes.

Keywords: Adsorption, heavy metals, Imperata Cylinderica, Lead, Zinc.

Article published in International Journal of Current  Engineering  and Technology, Vol.3,No.4(Oct- 2013)