A removal of Zn metal concentrate using Rhizophora apiculata mangrove plants

Pollutants from industrial waste can pollute the river water and have a negative impact in estuary ecosystem, changes in heavy metal content. One of the industries whose waste contains heavy metals (Chromium, Cyanide, Copper, Zinc,Nickel,Lead and Cadmium) is the electroplating industry. The purpose of this study is to calculate how much the efficiency of Rhizophora apiculata mangrove plants in Zn metal removal made from ZnSO4.7H2O artificial solution using laboratory scale reactor with the batch system. Plant acclimatization process has been done with Zn metal exposure test for seven days using soil media without pollutants and using tap water. After the acclimatization, preliminary test in the form of Range Finding Test (RFT) was conducted. The results of the RFT were concentrations of 100 mg /L, 200 mg /L, 300 mg /L which were feasible to be used in the main study phase. The main study phase was done by adding artificial solution into each tub of plastic reactor measuring 270 mm x 233 mm which has been filled with Rhizophora apiculata mangrove plant along with soil media. Samples were taken every five days within 20 days, and Zn concentration was measured using a spectrophotometer. The pH and temperature measurements were intended to monitor whether the pH and temperature of the waste water during the study were within the normal range for Rhizophora apiculatagrowth. Based on the result of the study, the efficiency of metal removal of Rhizophora apiculata mangrove plant at a concentration of 100 mg/L was 89,83%, at concentration 200 mg/L the efficiency of metal removal was 84,92% and at the concentration 300 mg/L the efficiency of metal removal was 74,94%.