Original Articles: 2012 Vol: 4 Issue: 5
Extraction of aluminium (III) ions from polluted waters using bio-sorbents derived from Acacia melanoxylon and Eichhornia crassipes plants
Abstract
The sorption abilities of thermally activated powders of leaves, stems and their ashes of Acacia Melanoxylon and Eichhornia crassipes plants have been probed for the extraction of Aluminum (III) ions from polluted waters. Various Physicochemical parameters such as pH, time of equilibration and sorbent dosage have been optimized for the maximum removal of Aluminum (III) ions. Procedures have been developed to remove more than 98% of Aluminum (III) ions from simulated waters using these bio-sorbents at optimum conditions of extractions. Common cations even in tenfold excess are almost not interfering with the extractability of Aluminum (III) ions at the experimental conditions. Sulphate, Nitrate and Carbonate have marginal effect while the Fluoride and Chloride are markedly interfering but Phosphate is enhancing the extractability of Aluminum (III) with some sorbents. The methodologies developed are applied to diverse waste water samples collected from industrial effluents and polluted lakes. The procedures are found to be remarkably successful in removing the Aluminum (III) ions from waste waters.