Removal of Cadmium(II) Ions from Waste Water by Adsorption onto the Powder of Lebanese Anacyclus nigllifolius Boiss: A Comparative Study

In this study, Anacyclus nigllifolius Boiss was adopted as a natural adsorbent to eliminate the cadmium from aqueous solutions. The adsorption was found to be dependent on initial metal ion concentration, pH of the solution, contact time and adsorbent dose. Characterization of the plant by granulometry has shown heterogeneity of size varying from 5.12 to 517.2 μm. The FT-IR spectrum showed a chemical modification of the functional groups due to the adsorption of cadmium. The adsorption of cadmium on the plant reaches 92% at ambient temperature. Experimental data of adsorption were well explained by Sips model with a maximal capacity of adsorption of 69.14 mg/g. Kinetics study showed that the retention of cadmium was well fitted by the pseudo-first-order model. The results of this study reveal that the Lebanese plant is a very effective and environmentally friendly adsorbent, with low cost for Cd(II) removal.