Biopolymer from shrimp shell and lotus leaves for heavy metal removal in waste water

Abstract

In this research project, the preparation of biopolymer from shrimp shell and lotus leaves for heavy metal removal in wastewater was studied. The optimum condition for metal removal was investigated. The parameters that effect on the preparation of adsorbent consists of the ratio between chitosan from shrimp, tannin from lotus leaves and glutaldehyde was conducted. The results shown the optimum ratio between weight of chitosan and tannin was 1:2 and the concentration of glutaldehyde was 5 percent. The metal adsorption efficiency of prepared adsorbent was tested. The maximum adsorption efficiency of lead (Pb) was found. The optimum condition for Pb removal was 175 milligram per liter of Pb in synthetic wastewater, initial pH of solution at 6, 0.2 gram of adsorbent, adsorption time of 30 minutes. With the optimum condition, the Pb removal efficiency from wastewater with biopolymer from shrimp and lotus leaves adsorbent as 16 milligram per gram of adsorbent. The FT-IR spectra of adsorbent that prepared from the reaction between biopolymer from shrimp and lotus leaves extract before and after metal adsorption were investigated to explore the position of functional groups available for the binding of metal onto adsorbent. From the results, a new adsorbent that prepared from biopolymer from shrimp shell and lotus leaves can used for Pb removal from waste water.