Water hyacinth biomass (WHB) for the biosorption of hexavalent chromium: Optimization of process parameters

Abstract

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) biomass has been used for many years for the remediation of heavy metals. The present study successfully utilizes the dried powdered biomass of the aerial part (stem and leaves) of water hyacinth for biosorption of hexavalent chromium. The effect of various parameters (viz. pH, initial metal ion concentration and temperature) on the removal of Cr(VI) was studied by conducting only 15 sets of sorption runs using Box-Behnken Design (BBD). The pH had a negative and temperature and concentration had positive effects on uptake of chromium. The predicted results (obtained using an empirical linear polynomial model) were found to be in good agreement (R2 = 99.8%) with the experimental results. The predicted maximum removal of Cr(VI) (91.5181 mg/g) can be achieved at pH 2.0, initial metal ion concentration 300 mg/L, and temperature 40 °C. The sorption capacity of sorbent was also calculated using a Langmuir sorption isotherm model and was found to be 101 mg/g at 40 °C and pH 2.0.