BATCH ADSORPTION OF HEAVY METAL IONS FROM PHARMACEUTICAL WASTEWATER USING COCONUT SHELL AND GROUNDNUT HULL ACTIVATED CARBON

Abstract

Water, an essential natural resource for life, faces contamination from various sources, threatening ecosystems. To combat this, the study explores the potential of activated carbon from coconut shells and groundnut hulls to remove heavy metals from pharmaceutical wastewater. Proximate and ultimate analyses reveal the effectiveness of these materials, with coconut shell-based activated carbon showing remarkable promise due to its high fixed carbon content. The results also highlight the enhanced adsorption capacity of activated carbon, notably the mesoporous nature of coconut shell activated carbon. The findings suggest that such adsorbents can efficiently bind metal ions, making them suitable for heavy metal removal from wastewater. This study underscores the importance of utilizing cost-effective and eco-friendly adsorbents for water pollution mitigation, potentially promoting sustainable agricultural practices through the use of residual ash content.