Cadmium Sorption by Moringa oleifera Lam.

Abstract

Inadequate disposition of industrial waste containing potentially toxic metals in water sources represents a major problem, concerning not only the biota but also to humans. The goal of this paper was to assess the adsorptive capacity of ground Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds as an alternate material to remove the cadmium ion of Capibaribe river waters in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, which were adjusted by a CCD experimental design. Measurements of pH and cadmium levels were performed before and after the experimental treatments in compliance with the official methodology. Obtained data from the treatments were statistically analyzed by Statistic program – version 10, using Box Plots technique. Graphics were employed to locate and assess the oscillations of a variable from different data groups. The results pointed the best efficacy of the alternate method employing moringa in removing cadmium in water treatments were: slightly alkaline pH (7.11); contact time between water and moringa of six hours; 01 grams of moringa per water litre. In these conditions there was a reduction in cadmium concentration of 70.28%, proving this alternate methodology not only to be cheap but also easily employed and contributes to diminishing the severe impacts on human health and environment that this metal could cause.