Uptake and Recovery of Lead by Agarose Gel Polymers

Problem statement: The uptake and recovery of lead ions were investigated by using agarose gel polymers. Approach: The experimental results showed that the agarose gel were effective in removing Pb (II) from solution. Biosorption equilibrium was approached within 4 h. Pseudo second-order was applicable to all the sorption data over the entire time range. Results: The sorption data conformed well to both the Langmuir and the Freundlich isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity (q_max) onto agarose gel was 115 mg g^-1 for Pb (II). The maximum uptake of metal ions was obtained at pH 2.0. At temperature 35°C, the biosorption of metal ions was found to be highest, with increase or decrease in temperature resulted in a decrease in the metal ions uptake capacity. Conclusion: Elution experiments were carried out to remove Pb (II) ions from loaded agarose gel and the bound metal ions could be eluted successfully using 0.1 M EDTA solution. The results suggest that agarose gel can be used as a biosorbent for an efficient removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution.