Abstract
The almond, olive and eucalyptus leaves were investigated as a low-cost biosorbents in removing lead ions from laboratory aqueous solutions. The adsorption experiments were conducted at different lead concentrations, and different biosorbent masses. The pH was adjusted to approximately 4.0, and contact time was 90 min. The obtained filtrates were analyzed for Pb+2 content using a Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS - 220 FS). The results showed similar behavior in respect of the amount of lead adsorbed (q), which were increased with increasing lead concentrations (from approximately 2.0 – 790.0 mg/g), and it decreased with increasing bioadsorbents masses (from approximately 196.0 – 9.8 mg/g). In contrast, the removal percentage was relatively high and fluctuated between 67.4 – 99.6% for all biosorbents used in this study. The study deduced that the biosorbents exhibited high efficiency and sustainability for removing Pb2+ from aqueous solution.