Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Continuous biosorption of cadmium by Moringa olefera in a packed column

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The biosorption of Cd(II) by Moringa oleifera using a batch system and a continuous up flow mode in a fixed bed column was studied. Batch adsorption experiments were performed as a function of pH, biosorbent dose, contact time, volume of the solution, and initial metal concentration. The adsorption isotherms obtained fitted well into the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. The dynamic removal of cadmium by powdered seed of the Moringa oleifera was studied in a packed column. The effect of bed height (4 and 8 cm) and flow rate (2 and 5mL/min) on biosorption process was investigated and the experimental breakthrough curves were obtained. Results showed that by increasing the bed height and decreasing the flow rate, the breakthrough and exhaustion times increased. The break-through time was considered as a measure of the column performance. The maximum break-through time of 320 min was achieved at the operating condition of 2 mL/min influent flow rate and bed height of 8 cm.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Volesky, B. (1990) Biosorption of heavy metals. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Friberg, L. M., G. F. Piscaor, T. Nordberg, and Kjellstrom (1974) Cadmium in the Environment. 2nd ed., CRC Press, Cleveland, OH.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Norberg, G. F., R. F. M. Herbert, and L. Alessio (1992). Cadmium in the human environment: Toxicity and carcinogenicity. Internat. Agen. Res. Can.: Lyon. 1–481.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Cristina, Q., R. Zelia, F. Bruna, F. Hugo, and T. Teresa (2009) Biosorptive performance of an Escherichia coli biofilm supported on zeolite naY for the removal of Cr(VI), Cd(II), Fe(III), and Ni(II). Chem. Eng. J. 152: 110–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Muhammad, N., A. Mahmood, S. A. Shahid, S. S. Shah, A. M. Khalid, and G. McKay (2006) Sorption of lead aqueous solution by chemically modified carbon adsorbents. J. Hazard. Mater. 138: 604–613.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Ahmet, S. and T. Mustafa (2008) Biosorption of total chromium from aqueous solution by red algae 9ceramium virgatum): Equillibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies. J. Hazard. Mater. 160: 349–355.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Tarun, K. N., C. Pankaj, K. B. Ashim, and K. D. Sudip (2008) Saw dust and neem bark as low cost natural biosorbebt for adsorptive removal of Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions form aqueous solutions. Chem. Eng. J. 148: 68–79.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Dang, V. B. H., H. D. Doan, T. Dang Vu, and A. Lohi (2009) Equilibrium and kinetics of Biosorption of Cadmium (II) and Copper (II) by wheat straw. J. Bioresour. Technol. 100: 211–219.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Sibel, T. A., Y. Yasemin, and G. Tevfik (2009) Removal of Cr (VI) ions from aqueous solutions by using Turkish montmrillonite clay: Effect of activation and modification. Desalin. 244: 97–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Suresh, S., V. C. Srivastava, and I. M. Mishra (2010) Isotherm, thermodynamics, desorption and disposal study for the adsorption of catechol and resorcinol onto granular activated carbon. J. Chem. Eng. Data 56: 811–818.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Aksu, Z. (2005) Application of biosorption for the removal of organic pollutants: A review. Proc. Biochem. 40: 997–1026.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Sag, Y. and T. Kutsal (2001) Recent trends in the biosorption of heavy metals: A review. Biotechnol. Bioproc. Eng. 6: 376–385.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Vijayaraghavan, K. and Y. -S. Yun (2008) Bacterial biosorbents and biosorption. Biotechnol. Adv. 26: 266–291.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Volesky, B. (2007) Biosorption and me. Wat. Res. 41: 4017–4029.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Jahn, S. A. (1986) Proper use of African natural coagulants for rural water supplies: Research in the Sudan and a guide for new projects. p. 541. Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, Eschborn.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Igwe, J. C., D. N. Ogunewe, and A. A. Abia (2005) Competitive adsorption of Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) ions from aqueous and non-aqueous solutions by maize cob and husk. Afr. J. Biotechnol. 4: 1113–1116.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Sutherland, J. P., G. K. Folkard, M. A. Mtawali, and W. D. Grant (1994) Moringa oleifera as a natural coagulant. 20th Water Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC) Conference. August 22–24. Colombo, Sri Lanka.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Ndabigengesere, A., K. S. Narasiah, and G. B. Talbot (1995) Active agents and mechanism of coagulation of turbid waters using Moringa oleifera. Wat. Res. 29: 703–710.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Megat, J. (2001) Moringa oleifera seeds as a flocculant in waste sludge treatment. Int. J. Environ. Stud. 58: 185–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Suleyman, A., Muyibi, and L. M. Evison (1995) Moringa oleifera seeds for softening hardwater. Wat. Res. 29: 1099–1105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Sajidu, S. M. I., E. M. T. Henry, G. Kwamdera, and L. Mataka (2005) Removal of lead, iron and cadmium ions by means of polyelectrolytes of Moringa oleifera whole seed kernel. WIT Trans. Ecol. Environ. 80: 251–258.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Sharma, P., P. Kumari, M. M. Srivastava, and S. Srivasrtava (2007) Ternary biosorption studies of Cd(II), Cr(III), and Ni(II) on shelled Moringa oleifera seeds. Bioresour. Technol. 98: 474–477.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Mataka, L. M., S. M. I. Sajidu, W. R. L. Masamba, and J. F. Mwatseteza (2010) Cadmium sorption by Moringa stenopetala and Moringa oleifera seed powders: Batch, time, temperature, pH and adsorption isotherm studies. Internat. J. Wat. Resour. Environ. Eng. 2: 50–59.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Sharma, P., P. Kumari, M. M. Srivastava, and S. Srivastava (2006) Removal of Cd from aqueous system by shelled Mor-inga Oleifera Lamarck seed powder. Bioresour. Technol. 97: 299–305.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, R. V. College of Engineering, Bangalore, India

    M. Rajeswari, Pushpa Agrawal, S. Pavithra,  Priya, G. R. Sandhya & G. M. Pavithra

Authors
  1. M. Rajeswari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Pushpa Agrawal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. Pavithra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Priya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. G. R. Sandhya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. G. M. Pavithra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Rajeswari.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rajeswari, M., Agrawal, P., Pavithra, S. et al. Continuous biosorption of cadmium by Moringa olefera in a packed column. Biotechnol Bioproc E 18, 321–325 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12257-012-0424-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12257-012-0424-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation