Abstract

Okra wastes from food canning processes were used as a potential adsorption of lead removal from various aqueous solutions was performed. Parameters such as pH, temperature of the solution, particle size of okra wastes and the concentrations of adsorbent and adsorbate were studied to optimize the conditions to be utilized on a commercial scale for the decontamination of effluents using a batch adsorption technique. Adsorption parameters were determined using both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The optimum pH for lead removal was between 4 and 6, the percentage of lead removal at equilibrium increases with increasing the amount of okra wastes and temperature. Better adsorption at higher temperatures. The removal of Pb²⁺ions attained 99%., this means that Pb²⁺ can be effectively removed from aqueous solutions by okra wastes. The mechanisms for adsorption of Pb²⁺ ions on to okra wastes involved ion exchange or the formation of hydroxyl complexes. The results obtained could be useful for the application of agricultural wastes for heavy metal removal from industrial wastewater.

Key words: Adsorption, Pb²⁺ ion, Agricultural wastes, okra wastes.