Adsorptive Removal of Chromium from Simulated Industrial Waste Water Using Jungle Geranium-Derived Biosorbents

The contamination of water resources due to the discharge of industrial effluents containing heavy metal ions poses a significant environmental challenge. Mining and industrial activities generate a significant volume of both solid and liquid waste enriched with chromium. The current study is focused on utilizing Jungle geranium leaf powder (JGLP) as a biosorbent, chosen for its extensive surface area and well-developed pore structure, essential attributes for effective adsorption. Comprehensive characterization of JGLP was carried out through scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Infra-Red (IR), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. The experiments were segregated into two sets: lower concentrations with the incorporation of a complexing agent, and the other concentrating on higher concentrations without such an agent. The removal efficiency of JGLP for Cr (VI) ions was evaluated using colorimetry and iodometric titration methods. To assess the impact of various factors on the adsorption process, batch experiments were conducted, varying parameters like pH levels, contact time, temperature, adsorbent dosage, and initial concentration of Cr (VI). Optimal conditions for achieving the highest removal efficiency [70.48% for lower concentration of Cr (VI) and 71.00% for higher concentration of Cr(VI)] of Cr (VI) metal ions were determined to be at pH = 2, a temperature of 303 K, adsorbent dosage 2 g L^-1 and a contact time of 2 hours. The equilibrium adsorption is well suited to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm in lower concentration and Freundlich adsorption isotherm in higher concentration of Cr (VI) respectively. The adsorption process follows pseudo first order kinetics.