Biosorption of Cd (II) and As (III) ions from aqueous solution by tea waste biomass

Abstract

Biosorption of Cadmium (Cd (II)) and Arsenic (As (III)) ions from wastewater by tea waste biomass was examined in a batch experimental setup. The effects of pH and temperature on the biosorption were studied in this work. The optimum pH for the maximum efficiency of biosorption of Cd (II) and As (III) were found to be 5.5 and 7.5, respectively. The adsorption process was endothermic in nature and spontaneous. About 95 and 84.5% removal of Cd (II) and As (III) ions was obtained at 200 mg/l of adsorbate and 6 g/l and 7 g/l of adsorbent dosage, respectively. The present study showed that tea waste biomass can serve as a good and cheap substitute for conventional carbon- based adsorbents.

Key words: Tea waste biomass, Cd (II), As (III), biosorption.