BIOSORPTIVE REMOVAL OF HEAVY METAL ZINC FROM SYNTHETIC WASTEWATER USING DUCKWEED

This study focused on the removal of Zinc from wastewater consisting of its solution using the aquatic plant Duckweed. Batch experiments were setup for studying the biosorption by Duckweed at different initial metal ion concentrations, pH and surrounding temperatures using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results from different initial metal ion concentrations experiment concluded that up to 20 mg/g, best sorption of Zinc was seen. The initial pH plays a vital role in removal of Zinc from solution. As a pH of upto 6 in solution showed maximum sorption, higher pH deteriorated the growth of the plant. For different surrounding temperatures, 20-24 °C promoted maximum growth. However, plant was also able to grow and adsorb at higher temperatures. At the end of experiment, when all the parameters were standardized, snails were introduced in a setup containing these parameters to check their effect on planta€ s efficiency. The removal of Zinc was enhanced. The results indicated that Duckweed plant is highly adaptive and continues to clean wastewater even in stress conditions.