Studies on the removal of metal ions from aqueous solution using Immobilized Bombax costatum calyx

The sorption capacity of Immobilized Bombax costatum calyx (IBCC) for the removal of metal ions (Fe 3+ , Pb 2+ , Zn 2+ , Cr 3+ and Cd 2+ ) was studied using batch experiments. The residual metal ion concentrations were investigated using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer ( AAS). The influence of factors such as contact time, initial concentration, ionic strength, pH and temperature were investigated. The metal ion sorption capacity by IBCC decreases with increasing ionic strength but increases with increasing pH value and initial metal ion concentration. The sorption rate for the metal ions were rapid for the first 30 minutes and equilibrium was established within 2 hrs. The maximum sorption capacity for Fe 3+ , Pb 2+ , Cd 3+ , Cr 2+ , and Zn 2+ were found to be 98.65, 96.36, 90.57, 84.38 and 80.28 respectively. From this experiment, it is showed that the abundant but presently wasted Bombax Costatum calyx could be turned into an environmentally friendly and cost effective sorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions from waste water.