Evaluation of Fluted Pumpkin Stem Powder in Heavy Metal Removal from Pharmaceutical Wastewater
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: This study explores the potential of fluted pumpkin stem powder (FPSP) as an eco-friendly and cost-effective adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals from pharmaceutical wastewater. The research investigates the adsorption capacity of FPSP for iron (Fe) and lead (Pb), examining the influence of contact time, adsorbent dosage, agitation speed, and pH. Chemically activated FPSP demonstrated significant adsorption capacities, achieving removal efficiencies of up to 85.263% for Fe and 90.000% for Pb under optimal conditions. Results indicated a direct proportional relationship between contact time, adsorbent dosage, agitation speed, and adsorption efficiency; as these variables increased, so did the adsorption efficiency. Conversely, pH showed an optimal efficiency at 7.5, with a decrease in efficiency observed at pH levels above this value. The study employed adsorption isotherms and kinetic models to explain the mechanisms underlying the adsorption process, such as the role the roles of ion exchange, complexation, and surface adsorption. The findings suggest further investigation into the regeneration and reuse potential of FPSP, as well as its application in treating various contaminants and scalability for industrial use. This research provides a comprehensive understanding of the efficacy and practicality of FPSP in wastewater treatment, promoting the utilization of renewable resources and advancing sustainable practices. Received: 6 August 2024 | Revised: 20 September 2024 | Accepted: 10 October 2024 Conflicts of Interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to this work. Data Availability Statement Data sharing is not applicable to this article as no new data were created or analyzed in this study. Author Contribution Statement Temple Uzoma Maduoma: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Investigation, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing, Supervision; Ebube Daniel Ezeokolie: Methodology, Investigation, Resources; Hadiza Nuhu Ajoge: Validation, Writing - original draft; Adesiyan Adepeju Ifetunbi: Methodology, Project administration; Iyanu Opeyemi Samson: Supervision, Project administration; Okorie Uche Victor: Formal analysis, Investigation, Data curation; Theresa Elikpi Onana: Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing; Solomon Boadu Akyea-Mensah: Visualization, Supervision; Oman Ebenezer: Writing - review & editing, Visualization, Project administration; Chukwuebuka Princewill Oguayo: Data curation, Writing - review & editing, Supervision; Deladem Kwasi Amuzu: Validation; Daniel Boateng: Validation; Akintunde Michael Oluwole: Investigation, Resources.
Authors: Temple Uzoma Maduoma, Ebube Daniel Ezeokolie, Hadiza Nuhu Ajoge, Adesiyan Adepeju Ifetunbi, Opeyemi Samson Iyanu, Uche Victor Okorie, Theresa Elikpi Onana, Solomon Boadu Akyea-Mensah, Oman Ebenezer, Chukwuebuka Princewill Oguayo, Deladem Kwasi Amuzu, Daniel Boateng, Akintunde Michael Oluwole
Institutions: Federal University of Technology Owerri, National Water Resources Institute, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Northeastern University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Language: English
Subfield: Water Science and Technology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4403502364