Biosorption of Cr (VI) from Aqueous Solution Using Novel Biosorbent : Prepared from the Fish (Catla catla) Scales

The present study reports the use of Catla catla fish scales for the biosorption of Cr (VI) at the best operating conditions. The influence of various physico-chemical parameters like solution pH, agitation, Cr(VI) concentration, biomass dosage, contact time, biomass particle size and temperature were studied. The optimum pH for biosorption of Cr(VI) was found to be 1.0. More than 60% of the ions were removed within 60 min of contact and maximum removal was obtained after 4 hour. The adsorption capacity increased with increase in temperature and agitation speed. Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms were used to evaluate the data and the pseudo-second order rate constant were derived. Langmuir isotherm was used to obtain the thermodynamic parameters. The negative value of free energy and positive value of enthalpy change indicate that the adsorption of Cr(VI) on Catla catla is a spontaneous process and endothermic. And also to study the biosorption of chromium(VI) from aqueous solution using a packed bed column with Catla catla scales under operating conditions such as initial chromium concentration, column feed flow rate.