Removal efficiency of pb(II), Zn(II) and Cu(II) in mono- and multimetal systems by alkali treated apricot shells biosorbent

Abstract

The mutual interaction of metal ions (lead, zinc and copper) on removal efficiency in binary and ternary systems, by biosorbent based on alkali treated apricot shells (Prunus armeniaca L.) was examined. The evaluation was done in batch system at two metals concentrations: 0.2 and 0.5mmol/ dm3. Tested biosorbent exhibited preferential uptake of lead in a multimetal systems. It is evident that mutual inhibition exists in all multimetal systems, but systems containing lead ex-hibited extreme inhibition toward copper and zinc ions. Process of sorption depends not only on specific chemistry of each metal, their affinity toward binding sites and the type of metal binding onto biosorbent, but also on sorbent chemical and morphological characteristics. In multimetal systems, tested sorbent showed preferential sorption orders: Pb (II)>Cu (II)>Zn (II).