The Lophira alata wood sawdust that was obtained was thoroughly washed with distilled water to remove impurities and then carefully dried under controlled conditions. After drying, it was used in its natural form as unmodified sawdust without any chemical treatment. This sample served as an adsorbent material for the removal of cadmium ions from aqueous solutions. Several experimental parameters were investigated to evaluate the adsorption efficiency, including contact time, sawdust dosage, and the pH of the solution. In addition, the physicochemical properties of the adsorbents used in the study were analyzed and computed to better understand their adsorption behavior. The results obtained from the study revealed that increasing the sawdust dosage significantly enhanced the adsorption capacity. Similarly, longer contact time improved the interaction between the adsorbent and the metal ions, leading to higher removal efficiency. The pH of the solution also played a crucial role, with higher pH values favoring increased adsorption of the metal ions. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that Lophira alata wood sawdust is an effective, low-cost, and environmentally friendly adsorbent for the removal of chromium ions from contaminated water systems.
Ogbonnaya Mba Arunsi (Wed,) studied this question.