TREATMENT OF MINE-SITE POLLUTED WATER THROUGH BIOSORPTION

摘要

In this study bio-adsorbents prepared from biomass wastes were investigated in batch experiments for the treatment of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). There are two competing processes here, release of alkalinity from sorbents and removal of acidity from AMD components. At higher sorbent dosage the acidity from AMD components is overwhelmed and pH is bound to increase while with lower sorbent dosage the alkalinity from the sorbent is overwhelmed by the acidity from the AMD components and the pH remains low. The experimental data shows that the heavy metal removal will depend on the pH, sorbent dosage and initial concentrations. The kinetic study at different metal concentrations and pH values are well described by the peseudo-first and second-order model as well as Lengmuir and Freundlch model. The results of the adsorption experiments suggest that the prepared bio-adsorbents can be applied for wastewater treatment as an immobilizer of pollutants. From the experimental results, it was found that the sorbents were effective in reducing the lead, copper, and zinc concentration, indicating the complete removal of lead from the acidic polluted water. Our result can be applied in waste management areas, especially for AMD treatment.