Removal of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn from Contaminated Soil by Using Plant-Based Surfactants, Sapindus mukorossi L (Soapnut) and Acacia Concinna (Shikakai)

Elijah Ugwu, Bhaskar Sen Gupta, Adebayo J. Adeloye, Nadia Martínez-Villegas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
206 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The performance of two plant-based surfactants in the removal of heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn) from soil was studied ex-situ. Experimental parameters were: six soil-solution ratios (1:10, 1:20, 1:30, 1:40, 1:50 and 1:60), six surfactant concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6% by mass), seven washing times (2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 24, and 48 hr) and four pH values of the washing solution (3, 4, 5 and 6). In general, removal efficiency increased with an increase in surfactant concentration, time and soil-solution ratio but decreased with increase in the pH of washing solution. The removal of heavy metals was in the following range: Cu, Cd, Zn and Pb for both surfactants reaching up to 90%, 80%, 53% and 52% respectively. The overall performance of the batch washing process indicates that both surfactants were very effective in soil washing. The effectiveness of these surfactants is due to their ability to form micelles and subsequent removal of heavy metals from the soil surface by reducing the interfacial tension. Both surfactants have the advantages of being environment-friendly and cost effective.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)183-187
Number of pages5
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Science and Development
Volume10
Issue number6
Early online date25 May 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2019

Keywords

  • Heavy metals
  • Shikakai
  • Soapnut
  • Soil washing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Environmental Science

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