Removal of Pb(II) from wastewaters by Fontinalis antipyretica biomass: Experimental study and modelling

Aquatic bryophytes are frequently used as biomonitors for trace metals in aquatic ecosystems. Nevertheless, their special characteristics also allow using them as biosorbents to clean industrial wastewaters. As biosorption is a low-cost and effective method for treating metal-bearing wastewaters, understanding the process kinetics is relevant for design purposes. In this study, the ability of the aquatic bryophyte Fontinalis antipyretica to remove lead from simulated wastewaters was evaluated. Previously, the effect on biosorption of parameters such as the initial solution pH, contact time and initial metal ion concentration was investigated. The biosorption process is highly pH-dependent, and the favorable pH for maximum Pb2+ adsorption on the aquatic moss was found to have an optimum value in the range 4.0–6.0. The equilibrium sorption capacity of lead by Fontinalis antipyretica increased with the initial metal concentration. For an initial metal concentration of 10 mg L−1, the uptake capacity at equili...