Removal of Copper Ions by Non-living Aquatic Macrophytes Egeria Densa

In this work, the removal potential of Cu2+ ions by non-living macrophytes Egeria densa has been studied. Adsorption kinetic and equilibrium tests were carried out in flasks under batch operations and controlled pH and temperature. The biosorption kinetic results have shown that Cu2+ ions removal rate was at its maximum at the beginning of the process. The equilibrium state was achieved after 60 min, and the Cu2+ ions removal was higher than 70% for the given experimental conditions. The kinetic biosorption data were better fitted by using a pseudo second order model. The equilibrium data at pH 5 were better described by the Langmuir isotherm than the Freundlich one, with a maximum metal content value of 1.47 mequiv g-1 and an adsorption rate value of 3.73 l mequiv-1. The kinetic parameters values were in agreement with other biosorbents data published in the literature, indicating that the macrophytes E. densa have a good potential to be used as biosorbent material in industrial effluent treatment system.