HYBRID BIOGENIC ADSORBENTS TO REMOVE HEAVY METALS FROM WASTE WATER:CAN IT BE A SUSTAINABLE GREEN PROTOCOL TO MINIMISE ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS ?

Abstract

Presence of heavy metals in waste water cause biological imbalance and environmental hazards. Various conventional and aggressive chemical protocols were employed for effective removal of heavy metals from waste water. Certain disadvantages like unwanted toxic by-products, high cost, environmental and occupational hazards pave the way for using of biogenic and hybrid adsorbents. Various active organic functional groups and larger adapted surface area in biogenic and hybrid adsorbents enhance the adsorption competence remarkably. Enhanced adsorption capacity depends on appropriate preparation techniques, variation of initial metal concentration and contact time etc. We will emphasize effectiveness of using hybrid biogenic adsorbents rather than general biogenic materials.