Biosorption process using Cereus jamacaru DC, Cactaceae for Pb²⁺ removal from aqueous systems

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Chemistry

Background:

• Lead (Pb2+) contamination in water poses significant human health risks.
• Sustainable, low-cost biomass materials are crucial for effective water remediation.
• Renewable resources offer innovative solutions for environmental challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate *Cereus jamacaru* DC (Mandacaru) as a biosorbent for lead ion (Pb2+) removal.
• To optimize biosorption conditions using a two-level factorial design.
• To evaluate the potential of Mandacaru for practical water treatment applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized *Cereus jamacaru* DC as a biosorbent for Pb2+ removal.
• Employed a two-level factorial design for process optimization.
• Analyzed biosorbent characteristics using FT-IR and adsorption kinetics (pseudo-second-order model).

Main Results:

• Achieved a maximum Pb2+ removal efficiency of 97.26% under optimized conditions (pH 5.0, 4h contact time).
• Plant structure variations did not significantly impact biosorption efficiency.
• FT-IR analysis identified functional groups (O-H, C-O, C=O) responsible for ion binding.
• The optimized method successfully removed 97.28% Pb2+ from a real river water sample.
• Adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating chemisorption.

Conclusions:

• Mandacaru is an efficient, fast, and easily applicable biosorbent for lead removal from aqueous solutions.
• The biosorption process is effective even in complex matrices like river water.
• This study highlights the environmental application potential of Mandacaru for water remediation, meeting regulatory standards.