Cyclical metal adsorption and desorption through sludge immobilized in chitosan media

In this research, a cyclical adsorption/desorption of cadmium and zinc from solutions containing a single metal or its mixture in ratio of 1:1 and 1:2 using immobilized activated sludge in the chitosan (ASC) was examined. In the adsorption studies, the optimal dose of ASC was 4 g/L. The highest desorption efficiency was achieved for 1M HNO3. Both adsorption and desorption occurred in accordance with a pseudo-second order reactions which is confirmed by R2 values. Mass of zinc adsorbed and desorbed in one cycle from a solution containing a single metal was 0.78 and 0.40 mmol/g d.w. when cadmium was lower (respectively 0.41 and 0.21 mmol/g d.w.). In subsequent cycles, both metals were adsorbed and desorbed at a lower efficiency. The highest efficiency of desorption was observed for a mixture of Cd:Zn in the ratio of 1:1 and 1:2, respectively 86% and 89% of cycle1, whereas for the zinc it was 70% and 53%. Desorption efficiency of both metals and its mixtures, in subsequent cycles gradually decreased.