Extraction of Aluminum (III) Ions from Polluted Waters Using New Bio-Sorbents

Bio-adsorbents derived from Ficus bengalensis and Annano squamosa have been probed for their ability to extract Aluminum (III) from polluted waters. Various physicochemical parameters such as pH, sorbent dosage and time of agitation have been optimized for the maximum extraction of Aluminum ions using simulated water by adopting batch methods of extraction. It is observed that these bio-materials show strong affinity towards Aluminum (III) in the pH range 4–8. Successful procedures have been established to remove more than 95.0% of Aluminum (III) from simulated waters. Cations and anions like Sulphate, Nitrate and Carbonate, even in tenfold excess, show marginal interferences while other anions like Fluoride and Chloride are interfering but Phosphate is synergistically enhancing the extractability of Aluminum(III). The methodologies developed are successfully applied to the samples collected in some industrial effluents and polluted lake samples.