Removal of Nickel From Aqueous Solution Using Rambai Stem

Heavy metals contamination in water and soil had become an issue ever since the
start of the industrialization in many countries around the world. The issue
continuously attracts ourconcern as it brings somany health effects andfurthermore,
altering our ecology. Thus, heavy metals treatment becomes inevitable. Many types
of treatment had been introduced in hope of reducing such contamination in our
environment. Biosorption using biomass and other biological sources is one of the
promisingmethodsbeing develop.
An effort has been made in this study to evaluate the potential of Rambai stem in
removing Nickel, as the heavy metal of concern in waste water, as wellas to provide
a view on the conditions that can permit a higher removal percentage. The removal
effect was found to be higher at pH range of 4 to 5, adsorbent dosage of 0.2g and
initial concentration of heavy metal solution of 10 ppm. From the experimental
results evaluation, it can be concluded that the removal of Nickel was higher at a
weak range of acidic solution, a higher dosage of adsorbent and at the lowest initial
concentration of heavy metal solution. Theadsorption dataobtained during the study
fitted well in Freundlich Isotherm, thus signifies that the adsorption of Nickel using
Rambai stem follows a heterogeneous surface adsorption.
The project can bring a huge advantage to the community since the project is
involving Rambai plant which can be found almost abundantly in our country. The
preparation of Rambai stem to be used as the adsorbent is quite simple, yet the
results obtainedfrom the experiment can be develop further and become a reference
for the future research in the biosorption involving other type ofplant's stem.