| Abstract: | The potential for biosorption of Hg(II) ions from aqueous solutions using water hyacinth was studied. The effect of the retention period (0, 1, 3, 7, and 15 days), pH (3, 5, 7, and 9), initial concentration of Hg(II) ions (5, 10, and 15 mg/L), and organic loading rate (25, 50, and 75 percent) on biosorption were investigated. The physicochemical parameters were also analyzed at various concentrations of Hg(II) ions before and after treatment. The maximum biosorption rate was obtained at 15 days with the initial concentration of 10 mg/L at a pH of 7 and organic loading rate of 50 percent. The maximum biosorption capacity of both water hyacinth roots and shoots were 5.5 mg/L and 3.8 mg/L, respectively. The Hg(II) biosorption data were analyzed using the first‐ and second‐order kinetic models. Pseudo second‐order kinetics was considered the most appropriate model for predicting the biosorption capacity of both water hyacinth roots and shoots, and the modeled results were compared to the experimental results. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used to evaluate the experimental data, and their constants were derived. Biosorption equilibrium data were best described by the Langmuir isotherm model followed by the Freundlich model. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. |
