Use of Sawdust of Aspen Tree for the Removal of Chromium (VI) from Aqueous Solution

Adsorption capacity of Cr (VI) onto sawdust of aspen tree and activated sawdust, was investigated in a batch system by considering the effects of various parameters like contact time, initial concentration, pH, temperature, agitation speed, absorbent dose and particle size. Cr (VI) removal is pH dependent and caused to be maximum at pH 2.0. The amounts of Cr(VI) adsorbed increased with increase in dose of both adsorbents and their contact time. Experimental results show that the low cost biosorbent was effective for the removal of pollutants from aqueous solution. The Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm were used to describe the adsorption equilibrium studies of agrowaste. Freundlich isotherm shows better fit than Langmuir and Temkin isotherm in the temperature range studied.