By-product of nanche (Byrsonima crassifolia): an alternative for the biosorption of hexavalent chromium

Abstract

In the present study, the biosorption of hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] was investigated using a by-product of nanche (Byrsonima crassifolia) in aqueous solutions by the batch method, parameters such as solutions pH, initial concentration of Cr (VI), adsorbent dose, particle size and contact time were evaluated. The results obtained showed that there is a greater removal of Cr (VI) with an acidic pH in the solution, using a particle size < 2.00 mm and increasing the adsorbent dose in batch biosorption, in addition, a total removal of Cr (VI) was obtained under the following parameters: 50 mg/L of Cr (VI), 1 g of adsorbent / 30 mL, pH: 2.0, particle size between 2.00-2.38 mm and a contact time of one hour. From the adjustment of kinetic models, it was determined that the Pseudo-second order model better describes the adsorption kinetics. In general, the by-product of nanche can be considered an adsorbent with the ability to remove Cr (VI) from aqueous solutions.