Heavy metal removal from industrial effluents by sorption on cross-linked starch: chemical study and impact on water toxicity.
Batch sorption experiments using a starch-based sorbent were carried out for the removal of heavy metals present in industrial water discharges. The influence of contact time, mass of sorbent and pollutant load was investigated. Pollutant removal was dependent on the mass of sorbent and contact time, but independent of the contaminant load. The process was uniform, rapid and efficient. Sorption reached equilibrium in 60 min irrespective of the metal considered (e.g. Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni, Fe and Cd), reducing concentrations below those permitted by law. The material also removed residual turbidity and led to a significant decrease in the residual chemical oxygen demand (COD) present in the industrial water discharge. The germination success of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was used as a laboratory indicator of phytotoxicity. The results show that the sorption using a starch-based sorbent as non-conventional material, is a viable alternative for treating industrial wastewaters.
Université de Franche-Comté, Chrono-environnement, UMR 6249 UFC/CNRS usc INRA, Place Leclerc 25030 Besançon cedex, France.
Bertrand
B
Sancey
Giuseppe
G
Trunfio
Jérémie
J
Charles
Jean-François
JF
Minary
Sophie
S
Gavoille
Pierre-Marie
PM
Badot
Grégorio
G
Crini
D000327:Adsorption; D007220:Industrial Waste; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000633:toxicity; D013213:Starch / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000633:toxicity
D007220:Industrial Waste; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D013213:Starch