Biosorption potentials of sawdust in removing zinc ions from aqueous solution

Timber processing industries generate enormous waste, which constitutes environmental nuisance. However, the sawdust contains several organic compounds that could actively remove heavy metal ions from an aqueous solution through adsorption process. This study investigated efficacy of Albizia zygia and Gmelina arborea in removing Zinc (II) under two factors affecting adsorption, Contact time pH. Sawdust samples were sieved a screen size 2.0mm, after portion for each species was subject to pre-treatment by boiling while other parts kept as control (untreated). The effect pH on removal efficiency biosorbent determined adding 0.2g (treated untreated) into six conical flasks containing (50ppm) at different values. There significant difference both treated untreated species. Removal also increased with time, maximum Zn biosorption achieved 90 minutes. reached optimum 4. Both species' (Albizia = 17.22, 17.92) compared favourably used previous studies. From this based availability, cost-effectiveness, ability be recovered reused, are proven alternative adsorbents treatment water towards ensuring quality is available humans, plants, animals.