Cleaning of water contaminated by heavy metals using beetroot fibers as biofilter |
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| Authors: | Jamil Rima Antoine Ghauch Marwan Ghaouch Michel Martin‐Bouyer |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science II , Lebanese University , Fanar, P.O. Box 90656, Jdeidet El‐Metn, Lebanon Fax: E-mail: CIMECOP@cyberia.net.lb;2. Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (LCIE) , University of Savoie , Le bourget du lac Cedex, 73376, France Fax: E-mail: Antoine.Ghauch@procyon.univ‐savoie.fr.;3. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science II , Lebanese University , Fanar, P.O. Box 90656, Jdeidet El‐Metn, Lebanon;4. Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (LCIE) , University of Savoie , Le bourget du lac Cedex, 73376, France |
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| Abstract: | We report for the first time the use of beetroot fibers to eliminate heavy metals from polluted water. This biomass is used to remove lead, copper and zinc ions. The kinetics and beetroot fibers fixation capacities of lead, zinc and copper according to various physico‐chemical parameters such as pH, and the concentration of metal solutions were studied. The experiments were carried out in a laboratory column with fixed bed. For kinetic studies, samples of metal solutions were taken at regular intervals and measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. pH at 6.6 shows a maximum retention of the above cited metals by beetroot fibers (98%, 92%, 90% respectively). Quantity of cations retained by this biomass in simple and mixture solution is respectively estimated to be 23.6, 14.02 and 14.64 mg/g. Results indicate the usefulness of this biomass in the remediation of water contaminated by heavy metals by a rapid, practical and efficient method. |
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| Keywords: | Beetroot fibers biofilter copper lead zinc |
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