Application of radiotracer technique in remediation of Zn(II) from aqueous solutions by dry cowdung powder

Heavy metal pollution is caused due to anthropogenic activities and is considered as a serious environmental problem which endangers human health and environment. The present study deals with biosorption, an eco-friendly technique for the removal of heavy metal Zn(II) from aqueous medium. Various natural materials have been explored for the uptake of metal ions, where most of them are physically or chemically enhanced. Dry cowdung powder (DCP) has been utilized as a low-cost, environmentally friendly humiresin without any pre-treatment, thus demonstrating the concept of Green Chemistry. Batch biosorption studies using 65Zn(II) tracer were performed and the impact of different experimental parameters was studied. Results revealed that at pH 6, 94 ± 2% of Zn(II) was effectively biosorbed in 5 min, at 303 K. The process was spontaneous and exothermic, following pseudo-second-order reaction. The mechanism of heavy metal biosorption employing green adsorbent was therefore elucidated in order to determine the optimal method for removing Zn(II) ions. DCP has a lot of potential in the wastewater treatment industry, as seen by its ability to meet 3A's affordability, adaptability, and acceptability criteria. As a result, DCP emerges as one of the most promising challengers for green chemistry and the zero-waste idea.