Reduced graphene oxide as effective adsorbent for removal of heavy metals in groundwater of Amaravathi River basin, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

The main aim of the present study was to weigh up and identifies the groundwater quality in the Amaravathi River basin of Karur district. Twenty four samples were collected, processed, and analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), cation such as calcium (Ca 2+ ), magnesium (Mg 2+ ), sodium (Na + ), and potassium (K + ); anion such as bicarbonate (HCO 3 − ), chloride (Cl − ), sulphate (SO 4 2-), and fluoride (F − ) in the laboratory using the standard methods given by the American Public Health Association. Specifically, we investigated trace metals like cadmium (Cd 2+ ), lead (Pb 2+ ), copper (Cu 2+ ), zinc (Zn 2+ ), manganese (Mn 2+ ), nickel (Ni 2+ ), and iron (Fe 2+ ) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Out of 24 samples, Thirumanilayur sample is taken for treatment process because all the physico-chemical parameters, and heavy metals Cd 2+ and Pb 2+ were well above the permissible limits laid by World Health Organizationand Bureau of Indian Standards. Graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticle is taken for treatment process and its adsorption capacity was confirmed by XRD, SEM, FTIR, and EDS techniques. The treated groundwater sample using graphene oxide nanomaterial (60 and 80 mg) show a positive result for reducing the excess metal ions (Cd 2+ and Pb 2+ ), in addition to various water quality parameters.