Removal of mercury(II) from wastewater using camel bone charcoal

Camel bone charcoal is used as an adsorbent for the removal of Hg(II) from wastewater effluents. The equilibrium data are fitted to Langmiur isotherm rather than linear and Freundlich isotherms. The adsorption capacity Qo is 28.24 mg of Hg(II)/g of the adsorbent. The optimum removal conditions are pH 2, contact time 30 min and temperature 25 °C. A comparison of the adsorption capacity (Qo) of camel bone charcoal with different adsorbents previously used for Hg(II) removal from wastewater effluents reveals its remarkable efficiency over many other treated and untreated natural and synthetic adsorbents. X-ray fluorescence and infrared spectrometry of camel bone charcoal after contact with mercury solutions confirm surface adsorption of Hg(II) ions. Electron microscopy reveals the formation of a spongy like structure on the adsorbent surface due to Hg(II) adsorption. Quantitative removal of mercury from hazardous effluents is demonstrated. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.