Accelerated heavy metal sorption from contaminated soils with enhanced particle size composite- evidenced by quantity and conductivity

Abstract

Long resident time of accumulated heavy metals in soils is not good because of the resulting deleterious effects. It is therefore necessary to employ a quicker means of facilitating their removal as soon as their levels are ascertained. This investigation explored some properties of the saw dust (SD), egg shell powder (ESP) and high density polyethylene(HDPE) composites (sorbents) that could accelerate the sorption of metals from contaminated soils. The composites prepared by extrusion using a Jombo 300 Extruding Machine had the particle sizes of the saw dust and egg shells varied in the composites. The prepared composites were buried in the soil samples and at intervals of 3 days little portions of the soil samples were taken and analysed with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer(210 VGP Bulk Scientific ) and the results compared with the baseline values obtained prior to the burial of the composites. There was a corresponding increase in the concentration of the metals sorbed by the composites from the soil with particle size of the saw dust and egg shell powder. This increase was also evidenced by the decreasing conductivity of the soil samples with time as the metals were sorbed into the composites. There was no attenuation in the concentration of the metals even at the ninth day, suggesting a good efficiency span.