Abstract

Igwe J. C.1, Ogunewe D. N.1, Abia A. A

Heavy metals rank as major environmental pollutants. Industrial wastewater effluents carry admixtures of these heavy metals. The competitive adsorption of Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ metal ions from aqueous and nonaqueous solutions by unmodified and modified maize cob and husk was investigated. The results showed that maximum adsorption occurred at 495.9 mg/g for Zn2+ ion, 456.7 mg/g for Pb2+ ion and 493.7mg/g for Cd 2+ ion without modification. The adsorption in a mixture of the metal ions caused a leveling effect on the adsorption capacity of the maize cob and husk. The adsorption efficiency of each metal ion was influenced by the presence of other metal ions, presence of non -aqueous solvent and modification by carboxymethylation. The study significantly reveals the presence of other heavy metals and chemicals as design parameter in the treatment and management of heavy metal pollutants using cellulosic materials.