Removal of some metal ions from aqueous solution using orange mesocarp

Abstract

In this study, the use of orange mesocarp residue biomass (modified and unmodified) as a costeffective and environmentally safe technique to remove Mg2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Pb2+ from aqueous solution was investigated. The results showed that unmodified orange mesocarp residue bound 56% of Mg²⁺, 81% of Zn²⁺, 71% of Cu²⁺, 73% of Pb₂₊, and 85.05% of Cd₂₊. In the case of modified orange mesocarp residue, it was able to bind the following amount of metal ions: 63.05% of Mg²⁺, 37.0% of Zn²⁺, 43.25% of Cu²⁺, 33.05% of Pb²⁺ and 86.45% of Cd²⁺. These results show that orange mesocarp residue biomass can be effectively used to adsorb heavy metals from aqueous solution.