Abstract

A batch adsorption system using dried Carpobrotus edulis plant as a new cheap adsorbent was investigated to remove some pollutants from raw wastewater. The results show that the uptake of nitrate, phosphate and some heavy metals ions from wastewater by C. edulis increased with increasing contact time. The percentage uptake of heavy metals from industrial wastewater by C. edulis particles was about ~94% for Cd(II), ~91% for Cu(II), ~99% for Pb(II) and ~98% for Zn(II). The removal percentage of phosphate and nitrate ions from municipal wastewaters by dried C. edulis was found to be ~96 and ~97%, respectively. The results indicate that the chemical oxygen demand values decreased after contact with micro-particles of dried C. edulis plant. The maximum uptake capacity was depending on the type of wastewater as well as the type of pollutant.

Key words: Dried Carpobrotus edulis plant, wastewater treatment, phosphate, nitrate, heavy metals.