Research Articles
Evaluation of Clay Brick and Laterite Brick as Low-Cost Adsorbents for the Removal of Cd2+ and Pb2+ in Aqueous Solutions
Authors:
K. R. Hettiarachchi ,
University of Peradeniya,, LK
About K. R.
Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture
R. A. A. S. Rathnayaka,
Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Puliyankulama, Anuradhapura, LK
About R. A. A. S.
Department of Agricultural Engineering and Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture
D. M. S. H. Dissanayaka,
Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Puliyankulama, Anuradhapura, LK
About D. M. S. H.
Department of Agricultural Engineering and Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture
M. I. M. Mowjood
University of Peradeniya, LK
About M. I. M.
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture
Abstract
Adsorption is recognized as a low-cost and effective method for treating C admium and Lead in wastewater. Therefore, this study focu sed on investigating the potential of construction demolition wastes (CDWs), laterite bricks (LB), and clay brick (CB) to re move Cd and Pb in synthetic wastewater. A series of batch a dsorption experiments were conducted to study the adsorption characteristics and capacities. The results revealed that the ma ximum adsorption capacity of CB and LB reached 210.85 mg/g and 210.72 mg/g for Pb2+, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cd2+ by CB and LB was 4.52 mg/g and 4.51 mg/g. From adsorption isotherms, the Langmuir and Freundlich models fitted well for 0 ≤ Ci ≤ 1000 mg/L of Cd2+ adsorption on both CB and LB. Adsorption of Pb2+ onto CB and LB is well captured by all isotherm models tested. A similar pattern of adsorption was observed among all particle sizes of CB and LB (<0.5, 0.5-1.0, and 1.0–2.0 mm), indicating that the particle size of tested adsorbents is not affecting the adsorption isotherms of Cd2+ and Pb2+. However, the particle size ranges used in this study lay within a narrower range, which might be the reason for not showing any difference in adsorption among the different size fractions. Therefore, it is concluded that both CB and LB are effective and environmentally friendly adsorbents to remove Pb2+ and Cd2+in wastewater.
How to Cite:
Hettiarachchi, K.R., Rathnayaka, R.A.A.S., Dissanayaka, D.M.S.H. and Mowjood, M.I.M., 2022. Evaluation of Clay Brick and Laterite Brick as Low-Cost Adsorbents for the Removal of Cd2+ and Pb2+ in Aqueous Solutions. Tropical Agricultural Research, 33(2), pp.140–150. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/tar.v33i2.8552
Published on
30 Mar 2022.
Peer Reviewed
Downloads
