Abstract:
Removal of toxic metals from surface water is a significant matter of concern.
Biosorption is emerging as an economical and ecofriendly methodology for the removal of toxic
chemicals from waste water. Optimization of operating conditions has a large impact on the
efficiency of this process. Simple untreated and chemically modified Polyalthia longifolia leaves
were used to study biosorption of Cr (VI) from aqueous media within various experimental
conditions and their efficiency of biosorption were compared. The effects of different conditions,
such as contact time of solution with biosorbent, temperature, pH, biosorbent dose and agitation
speed for the removal of Cr (VI) were studied. It is found that acid treated Polyalthia longifolia
leaves have greater biosorption capacity as compared to untreated and base treated leaves. Langmuir
and Freundlich isotherms were also applied to evaluate maximum biosorption capacity of simple
untreated and chemically modified Polyalthia longifolia leaves for Cr (VI). This research work is of
great importance in regard of practical waste water treatment by biosorption.
