Biosorption of Cr(VI), Ni(II) and Fe(II) by maize (<i>zea mays</i>) cob

Abstract

The experimental results for the biosorption of Cr(VI), Ni(II) and Fe(II) onto maize cob were reported. The adsorbents efficiency on the bioremediation of these metals was estimated from the change in the percent adsorbate removal with (i) adsorbent dosage (ii) adsorbate initial concentration, (iii) variation in pH of the adsorbate solution and (vi) increase in surface area of the adsorbate. Untreated Maize Cob (MC) was found to demonstrate high affinity for Fe(II) in both granular and powdered form in such a way that 2g Powdered Maize Cob (PMC) was able to remove about 89% whereas a 100% removal was observed with 8g adsorbent. On the other hand MC showed low affinity for Ni(II) in the sense that even with the powdered form, % removal does not vary significantly between 2 and 8g.

Keywords: Zea mays, adsorption, adsorbent, metal ion, % removal