A study on heavy metal contaminated slurries using reactive soil mineral and cellulosic absorbents

Prabesh Rupakheti, Shobha K. Bhatia, Nuzhath Fatema

Research output: Chapter in Book/Entry/PoemConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate low cost, easily available, and sustainable solutions to remove heavy metal ions from the effluent from geotextile tubes and wastewater. Three soils and three cellulosic materials have been used to study their effectiveness in adsorbing as well as retaining heavy metal ions when mixed in contaminated aqueous solutions. The effect of different particle sizes, physical and chemical properties of soils in adsorption has been studied by performing a batch adsorption test in 15% concentration (sediment: heavy metal solution) slurry. Similarly, batch adsorption tests were also conducted on cellulosic materials (peanut hulls, jute fibers, kraft pulp) mixed with heavy metal solution. The studied heavy metal ions are lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn). The samples collected from batch adsorption tests were tested for heavy metal ions using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). It was observed that the removal efficiency for all heavy metals was higher with tully soils compared to kaolinite. In case cellulose adsorbents, one correlation could be established between the dosage of jute fibers and amount of Pb adsorbed. However, the adsorption of Pb from the solution into peanut hulls and kraft pulp increased linearly with their dosage. Kraft pulp had the highest adsorption capacity of Cu and Cd compared to other cellulose adsorbents.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationGeotechnical Special Publication
EditorsThomas L. Brandon, Richard J. Valentine
PublisherAmerican Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Pages459-467
Number of pages9
EditionGSP 276
ISBN (Electronic)9780784480434
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017
EventGeotechnical Frontiers 2017 - Orlando, United States
Duration: Mar 12 2017Mar 15 2017

Publication series

NameGeotechnical Special Publication
NumberGSP 276
Volume0
ISSN (Print)0895-0563

Conference

ConferenceGeotechnical Frontiers 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando
Period3/12/173/15/17

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Building and Construction
  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A study on heavy metal contaminated slurries using reactive soil mineral and cellulosic absorbents'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this