MORINGA OLEIFERA SEEDS AS A LOW-COST BIOSORBENT FOR REMOVING HEAVY METALS FROM WASTEWATER

Abstract

Heavy metals are considered to be one
of the major contaminants of water in recent
years due to their non-biodegradable
property; hence making them toxic and
bioaccumulate to living organisms.
Conventional methods such us chemical
precipitation, physical treatment through
ion exchange are used for removing heavy
metal ions from water. These methods are
expensive and attributed to incomplete
metals removal and high cost of treatment.
In recent years, researchers have found
alternative low cost and effective method
for removal of toxic metals through
biosorption process using biological
materials. Moringa oleifera seeds is one of
the biological materials which has effective
adsorption capacity for removal of heavy
metals from water and wastewater. In this
article, the seeds of Moringa oleifera seeds
as a low-cost biosorbent for removal of
heavy metals is presented. Moringa oleifera
seeds is inexpensive material that contains
amino acids. The amino acid is a major
constituent of the functional groups that
aids in greater ability of heavy metals
removal through metal ion exchange or
complexation, which is mainly affected by
pH, biosorbent dosage, and contact time.
Moringa oleifera seeds residues have a
greater capacity to absorb heavy metals in a
single solution compared to multi ion
solution.