Abstract

Heavy metals released by a number of industrial processes are major pollutants in marine, ground, industrial and even treated wastewaters. Some conventional methods of treatment, generate toxic sludge, hence the study of biomaterials as adsorbents. The residual metallic ion concentrations were determined. The results obtained after contacting for 120 min showed that Chrysophyllum albidum seeds achieved the percent removal of 76.2, 63.0, 56.4 and 42.3 for  Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺,  Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions respectively. The percent removal of Ni²⁺ ions was 66.5 with an effective dose of 1.0 g of dried C. albidum seeds at pH 7.0 shaken for 2 h at 300 r.p.m. The ability of C. albidum seeds to absorb metal ions as shown from the results can be used for the development of a cheap technology for effluent treatment.

Key words: Biomaterials, Chrysophyllum albidum, adsorbent, pollution, heavy metals.