Impacts of calcium-alginate density on equilibrium and kinetics of lead(II) sorption onto hydrogel beads

Chronic exposure to Pb2+ above the 15-mu g/L US Environmental Protection Agency action level for drinking water has been shown to cause a host of health problems in humans. Thus, it is important to study new methods available for the treatment and removal of Pb2+ from drinking water and wastewater, where elevated levels of heavy metals are found. Alginate-based beads represent one such possible method for heavy metal removal. The impact of alginate density on the equilibrium and kinetics of Pb2+ sorption onto hydrogel beads was investigated using Ca-alginate beads ranging from 1% to 8% (w/v) and exposed to Pb2+ concentrations ranging from 100 to 1,000 mg/L. When Ca-alginate beads were characterized using Fourier transform infrared analysis, the carboxylic acid groups of the mannuronate and guluronate residues in alginate were the primary functional groups that interacted with Pb2+. Hydration of Ca-alginate beads was also examined and found to decrease as Ca-alginate density increased. A positive correlation was observed between Ca-alginate hydration and Pb2+ sorption. Sorption of Pb2+ was fast, reaching equilibrium after approximately 4 h, and is well described by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Maximum sorption capacities for 1%, 4%, and 8% beads were 500 +/- A 100, 360 +/- A 30, and 240 +/- A 20 mg/g (dry weight), respectively. The kinetics of sorption were best described by the pseudo-second-order Lagergren model, with rate constants determined as 3.2 +/- A 0.1 x 10(-4), 1.0 +/- A 0.1 x 10(-4), and 1.6 +/- A 0.1 x 10(-4) g mg(-1) min(-1) for 1%, 4%, and 8% beads, respectively.