 Removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution using low-cost materialsز

Abstract

Heavy metals can not only have toxic and harmful effects on organisms living in water, but also accumulate throughout the food chain and may also affect human beings (Martins et al., 2004 and SarI and Tuzen, 2008). Heavy metals such as Cu, Ni and Cd are commonly detected in industrial and agricultural effluents. Copper and Ni are essential nutrients needed by the body in trace amounts. However, an increase in the intake of Cu can cause health problems like gastrointestinal disturbance, and liver and kidney failure while high. Nickel ions are non-biodegradable toxic heavy metals and acute poisoning of Ni causes headache, birth defects, embolism, and chronic bronchitis (Nuhoglu, and Malkoc, 2009). On the other hand, Cd has been one of the most significant problems because of their toxicity, persistence, and non-biodegradable nature (Rodríguez-Maroto et al., 2003). In addition, the presence of heavy metals at elevated levels in surface water and groundwater environment also prevents any beneficial use of the water bodies. Therefore, it is essential to control the concentration of heavy metals in wastewaters before its disposal into the environment.