Removal of Cd++ from contaminated water using bio-surfactant modified ground grass as a biosorbent

Bio-sorbent activated carbon adsorption method has been applied in removing the Cd ++ ion from cadmium contaminated water. Dry ground grass has been chosen as a carbon source while bio-sorbent rhamnolipid has been used to activate of the carbon. Different bio-sorbent-grass doses were prepared and characterized by the Scanning Electron Microscopy, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy.Results indicates that both porosity and surface roughness are very essential and required for the adsorption of Cd ++ ion. In addition, cadmium ion adsorption was significantly influenced by the change in the pH value of the media. The highest removal value of 85.77 % of the Cd ++ was recorded at pH 7 at 40mg of rhamnolipid. Increase in the concentration of rhamnolipid also increases the removal of the cadmium ion. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum of the rhamnolipid modified grass before the adsorption indicates the presence of characteristic functional groups of O-H, C-H, N-H and P-O that are required to facilitate the adsorption of the cadmium ions. While the spectra of rhamnolipid modified grass after the adsorption shows a new peak and slightly shift of mostly peaks that reveals the adsorption of the cadmium ions. Results shows that modified grass could be potentially used in the heavy metal remediation and provides an efficient, economical and biodegradable bio-sorbent for the removal of the toxic and heavy metals from the environmental and industrial contaminated wastewater.