Removal of Lead(II) from Aqueous Solutions Using Sida rhombifolia as Biosorbent

Abstract

The weed Sida rhombifolia has been used as a biosorbent for removing lead ions from aqueous solution. The biosorption capacity tests were performed on an equilibrium batch basis to study the effects of contact time (10-120 min), temperature (30-60 °C), initial metal ion concentration (10-90 mg/L), agitation speed (50-250 rpm), biomass dosage (50-500 mg) and retention volume (25-150 mL). The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the biosorption was a spontaneous and endothermic process. The pseudo second-order model described the kinetic data very well. The isotherm studies showed that the equilibrium data fits best with Temkin model.