Separation Of Divalent Metal Ions By Pandanus Amaryllifolius Roxb (Pandanus Leaves): Effect Of Contact Time And Particle Mass

Divalent metal ions, Cu2+ and Pb2+, have been contaminating the industrial wastewater to a great extent. Various types of adsorbent have been studied to remove the ions but not much study has been done on utilizing the local plants. Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb(Pandanus leaves), which is abundant in Malaysia, is used in this study to determine its feasibility to adsorb heavy metals. The biomass were subjected to various parameters including varying particle mass and contact time; and its effect towards metal ion uptake is characterized. It is found that at more than 0.6-g particle mass used and contact time of longer than 60 min, the uptake of heavy metal ions from the aqueous solutions reached equilibrium. This suggested that the Pandanus leaves that were used as the adsorbent are a good source of plant material for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions.