Use of low-cost biopolymers and biopolymeric composite systems for heavy metal removal from water
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REVIEW
Use of low‑cost biopolymers and biopolymeric composite systems for heavy metal removal from water Z. Zia1,2 · A. Hartland3 · M. R. Mucalo1 Received: 19 February 2020 / Revised: 21 April 2020 / Accepted: 4 May 2020 © Islamic Azad University (IAU) 2020
Abstract The quality and quantity of freshwater resources are declining because of the pressures associated with human population increase. Heavy metals are among the most persistent and non-biodegradable pollutants associated with industrial discharges, mining activities and agricultural activities. However, a practical and affordable solution to the efficacious removal of heavy metals from wastewater prior to discharge into aquatic environments has yet to be implemented. Therefore, intensive research continues to address the sustainable use of materials from agricultural or industrial by-products in wastewater treatment. This review summarizes the properties of low-cost biopolymeric composite systems (including chitosan and hemicellulose) for the removal of heavy metals from aquatic systems. The materials presented in this review come from agricultural or industrial by-products which provide a twofold benefit of not only providing a means of treating water but also an effective method of utilization of these by-products which otherwise form an additional waste-stream. Keywords Water treatment · Heavy metals · Biopolymers · Chitosan · Hemicellulose · Composites · By-product repurposing · Adsorption
Introduction The history of human society development shows access to good, clean water to be one of the most important necessities of life. However, with burgeoning of the world population, unplanned industrialization and urbanization, use of chemicals and agricultural activities and other factors all playing a significant role in contributing to and causing water pollution (Vakili et al. 2014), the ready supply of uncontaminated water is a constant challenge. One very pertinent water contaminant issue of concern is that of heavy metals (Salem and Chilingarian 2000). There are several sources responsible Editorial responsibility: M. Abbaspour. * M. R. Mucalo [email protected] 1
School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, Waikato 3240, New Zealand
2
Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari, Islamabad 61100, Pakistan
3
Environmental Research Institute, School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, Waikato 3240, New Zealand
for causing pollution in water supplies in the environment (Fig. 1) which are classified as persistent contaminants due to their non-degradative properties (Ahmed et al. 2012). In wastewater, in contrast, the metals, which are found commonly, include species containing cadmium, arsenic, lead, chromium, nickel, mercury, zinc, silver and copper. These heavy metals can cause chronic diseases, leading to death when crossing a permissible limit in the human body. A great challenge of water purification processes is the presence of these heavy metals in excessive quantities, wh
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