Sorgum vulgare and pennisetum typhoedum as useful biosorbents for the removal of heavy metal ions from water solution

Abstract

Sorgum Vulgare (oat) husk and Penisetum Typhoedeum (millet) husk have been found useful for the removal of heavy metal ions from water or waste water. Divalent ions of copper, lead and cadmium can be efficiently removed from waste water streams using low cost and widely available biosorbents sorgum vulgare and pennisetum typhoedeum husk. Maximum adsorption of the divalent copper, cadmium and lead at pH 7 and room temperature on a column of 10 inches height and 2 inches diameter are found in the order Pb+2> Cu+2> Cd+2 for pennisetum typhoedeum(millet) husk and Cu+2>Pb+2>Cd+2 for sorgum vulgare(oat) husk.