Development of biochar from floral waste for the removal of heavy metal (copper) from the synthetic wastewater

Abstract

Nowadays, Heavy metals are the prime concern due to their adverse effects on the environment and human beings. It is discharged from various industries such as mining, metal finishing, electroplating, glass, textiles, ceramics, and storage batteries. Copper is the metal used in many electronic devices and involved in other production processes. On the other hand, the amount of floral waste generated from temples and festivals/celebrations are increasing day by day, its impact on the solid waste management process is huge and it creates a fouling smell when it is disposed of improperly. Therefore, the present aim of the project is to utilize the waste flowers for the development of biochar where it is used in the removal of heavy metal i.e., copper from synthetic wastewater. The other advantage of floral biochar is the increase in soil organic matter (SOM) which can influence the soil microclimate, microbial community structure, biomass turnover, and mineralization of nutrients. The preparation, physicochemical properties, and adsorption mechanisms of floral waste biochar in removing copper metal from synthetic wastewater have been discussed in this study. Biochar was prepared by involving intense carbonation and activated by the acid-alkaline medium. The synthetic heavy metal (copper) wastewater was prepared in the laboratory. 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% of biochar was used in this study. The maximum removal efficiency and sorption capacity was 91.69% and 0.087 mmol/g respectively. This study demonstrated that adsorbent materials have a stronger heavy-metal adsorption capacity. It can be concluded from this study that adsorption is a very efficient technique for the removal or recovery of heavy metals from the environment. This biochar can be a better alternative for commercially activated carbon based on its production cost, efficiently remove metal ions.