Biogenic Jarosite: A Friendly Adsorbent for the Removal of Chromate from Aqueous Solution

Ferric hydrosulfate minerals are commonly byproducts of biotic oxidation of Fe (II) in acid mine drainage and biohydrometallurgy like biogenic jarosite. In this study, adsorption of Cr (VI) on jarosite was a rapid process and the optimum pH for Cr (VI) adsorption was found at 7.0. The variation of Cr (VI) adsorbed on jarosite fitted the Langmuir adsorption isotherm models and the maximum adsorption capacity was 3.23 mg/g. It was evident that anion exchange mechanism was responsible for Cr (VI) adsorption on jarosite based on the sulfate leaching data and optimum pH experiments.