Abstract:
Chromium (VI) emissions from industry have the potential to contaminate the environment
and accumulate in particular parts of the human body, posing a danger to life. In this study
volcanic ash (VA) and activated carbon (AC) composite were to use it as an adsorbent for the
removal of Cr (VI) from Tannery waste water. The performance of volcanic ash and activated
carbon composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy (FTIR), UV− Visible spectroscopy and point of zero charge. In order to remove
Cr (VI), batch adsorption studies were carried out at room temperature with variable pH 2–
10, dosage 0.1–0.9 mg/50ml, initial concentration 50–110 ppm, and contact time 30-120 min.
At pH 2, dosage = 0.1 g, concentration = 50 ppm, and contact duration = 60 min, the
optimum values for Cr (VI) adsorption were achieved. The maximum adsorption capacity of
Cr (VI) at the optimal pH was found to be 24.34 mg/g. Because of the anionic species of Cr
(VI), electrostatic interaction played a significant role in these adsorptions. Adsorption
kinetics and adsorption isotherm studies also showed that the data suited the Langmuir
isotherm for Cr (VI) and had a good correlation with the pseudo second order. The finding
indicates that VA & AC composite can be considered as a good adsorbent for mitigation of
Cr (VI) from tannery industries effluent.