CADMIUM (II) IONS REMOVAL BY ADSORPTION ONTO EUCALYPTUS GLOBULES BARK, BAMBUSA GLAUCESCENS DUST AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVATED CARBONS

Batch adsorption dynamics and equilibrium studies for the removal of cadmium (II) ions from aqueous solution using indigenously prepared Eucalyptus globules bark carbon (EGBC), Bambusa glaucescens dust carbon (BGDC) and commercial activated carbon (CAC) have been carried out under various experimental conditions at 30 +1°C. Percentage removal of cadmium (II) ions increased with the decrease in initial concentration and increased with increase in contact time and dose of adsorbent. Amount of cadmium (II) ions adsorbed increases with the decrease in particle size of EGBC. Adsorption is highly pH sensitive. Adsorption data were modeled with isotherms and the first order kinetic equations. Kinetics of adsorption is observed to be first order with intra-particle diffusion as one of the rate determining steps. Removal of cadmium (II) ions by indigenously prepared activated carbons (IPACs) is found to be favourable and hence IPACs could be employed as an alternative adsorbent to commercial activated carbon (CAC) for effluent treatment, especially for the removal of cadmium (II) ions.