Adsorption of Heavy Metals: Mechanisms, Kinetics, and Applications of Various Adsorbents in Wastewater Remediation—A Review

Zarifeh Raji, Ahasanul Karim, Antoine Karam and Seddik Khalloufi ()
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Zarifeh Raji: Department of Soils and Agri-Food Engineering, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Ahasanul Karim: Department of Soils and Agri-Food Engineering, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Antoine Karam: Department of Soils and Agri-Food Engineering, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Seddik Khalloufi: Department of Soils and Agri-Food Engineering, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada

Waste, 2023, vol. 1, issue 3, 1-31

Abstract: Heavy metal contamination in wastewater is a significant concern for human health and the environment, prompting increased efforts to develop efficient and sustainable removal methods. Despite significant efforts in the last few decades, further research initiatives remain vital to comprehensively address the long-term performance and practical scalability of various adsorption methods and adsorbents for heavy metal remediation. This article aims to provide an overview of the mechanisms, kinetics, and applications of diverse adsorbents in remediating heavy metal-contaminated effluents. Physical and chemical processes, including ion exchange, complexation, electrostatic attraction, and surface precipitation, play essential roles in heavy metal adsorption. The kinetics of adsorption, influenced by factors such as contact time, temperature, and concentration, directly impact the rate and effectiveness of metal removal. This review presents an exhaustive analysis of the various adsorbents, categorized as activated carbon, biological adsorbents, agricultural waste-based materials, and nanomaterials, which possess distinct advantages and disadvantages that are linked to their surface area, porosity, surface chemistry, and metal ion concentration. To overcome challenges posed by heavy metal contamination, additional research is necessary to optimize adsorbent performance, explore novel materials, and devise cost-effective and sustainable solutions. This comprehensive overview of adsorption mechanisms, kinetics, and diverse adsorbents lays the foundation for further research and innovation in designing optimized adsorption systems and discovering new materials for sustainable heavy metal remediation in wastewater.

Keywords: adsorption; biosorbents; heavy metal; agricultural wastes; traditional and novel adsorbents; wastewater remediation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q16 Q18 Q2 Q20 Q23 Q24 Q25 Q28 Q3 Q31 Q38 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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