Bioremoval of Cu(II) from aqueous solution by biosorbent from the desert Tamarix aphylla bark

Abstract

The biosorption of Cu(II) ion from aqueous solutions using a new biosorbent obtained from the bark of the desert tree Tamarix aphylla, has been studied. The effect of initial metal concentration (50–250 mg L⁻¹), pH (3-7) and temperature (25-60 °C), on Copper biosorption were investigated. Equilibrium at 25ºC was reached after 4 h and Copper cations biosorption in excess of 82% was obtained at pH 6. The relation between the chemical composition of the biomass from Tamarix aphylla (flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, carbohydrates, coumarins, alkaloids….....) and the percent of adsorption for Copper ion was examined.