Biosorption of Pb (II) by Agave tequilana Weber (agave azul) biomass

Biosorpción de Pb (II) por biomasa de Agave tequilana Weber (agave azul)

J. Romero–González¹*, F. Parra–Vargas², I. Cano–Rodríguez², E. Rodríguez¹, J. Ríos–Arana¹, R. Fuentes–Hernández² and J. Ramírez–Flores²

¹ Universidad Autónoma de Cd. Juárez, Instituto de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Av. Del Charro No. 610 Norte, Cd. Juárez Chihuahua, 32310, México. * Corresponding author: E–mail: jromero4@mainers.utep.edu Phone and fax: (656) 688–1885

² Universidad de Guanajuato, Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Noria Alta S/N, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, 36000, México.

Recibido 22 de Junio 2006
Aceptado 16 de Julio 2007

Abstract

In this study, the biomass produced from the industrial residues and agricultural waste of Agave tequilana Weber (Agave azul) generated in the production of tequila, demonstrated a high potential for Pb (II) removal from aqueous solution. The biosorption capacity of Agave azul leaves biomass was evaluated in batch experiments. These experiments included pH profile, time dependence, and the determination of adsorption capacity. Time profile experiments indicated that the adsorption of Pb ions by Agave azul biomass was time–dependent. Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms were used to describe the biosorption of Pb (II) onto the Agave azul leaves biomass at 298 K and pH 5.0. The correlation coefficient for the Freundlich isotherm was much higher than the coefficient for the Langmuir isotherm, indicating that only the Freundlich models fits the data. The maximum capacity (K_F) was 105.52 10^–2 mole/g for Pb (II). The adsorption capacity showed by Agave azul biomass was higher than the average values reported in the literature.

Keywords: biosorption, Pb(II), Agave tequilana Weber, Agave azul.

Resumen

En este estudio, la biomasa producida de los residuos industriales y el desecho agrícola del Agave tequilana Weber (Agave azul) generados en la producción de tequila, demostró un alto potencial para la remoción de Pb (II) de soluciones acuosas. La capacidad de biosorción de la biomasa de las hojas de Agave azul fue evaluada en experimentos en lote. Estos experimentos incluyeron perfil de pH, dependencia del tiempo y la determinación de la capacidad de adsorción. Los experimentos de dependencia del tiempo indicaron que la adsorción de los iones de Pb(II) por la biomasa de Agave azul fue dependiente del tiempo. Las isotermas de Freundlich y Langmuir fueron usadas para describir la biosorción del Pb (II) sobre la biomasa de las hojas del Agave azul a 298 K y un pH de 5.0. El coeficiente de correlación para la isoterma de Freundlich fue más alto que el respectivo coeficiente para la isoterma de Langmuir, indicando que solo el modelo de Freundlich describe los datos obtenidos. La máxima capacidad (K_F) fue 105.52 10^–2 moles/g para Pb (II). La capacidad de adsorción mostrada por la biomasa del Agave azul fue más alta que el valor promedio de los valores reportados en la literatura.

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Acknowledgment

The authors would like to acknowledge financial support from the University of Guanajuato at México and the Programa de Mejoramiento del Profesorado (PROMEP) (Agreement PROMEP/103.5/04/2921).

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