Studies of Pb2+ adsorption by Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds from an aqueous medium in a batch system

The efficiency of Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) seeds for removing lead ions (Pb2+) from water was evaluated. Parameters such as solution pH, adsorbent mass, contact time between solution and adsorbent, isotherms, thermodynamic, kinetics, and desorption were evaluated. The maximum adsorption capacity of the biosorbent was found to be 12.24 mg g(-1). In order to verify the effectiveness of this material, comparative studies were performed with activated carbon under the same optimal conditions for the construction of isotherms and the desorption process. Average desorption rate values led to the assumption that a strong interaction took place between the adsorbents and the metal ions. Thus, it has been concluded that the biosorbent studied herein can be considered very effective and feasible for remediating Pb2+-contaminated solutions, since this material is itself an untreated and low-cost byproduct.