Biosorption of heavy metals from mining influenced water onto chitin products

摘要: Abstract Mining influenced water (MIW) emanating from mine sites poses a major environmental concern due to its impact on contamination caused by low pH and the presence of high concentrations toxic metals. Chitorem SC-20® (raw crushed crab shells containing 40% (w/w) CaCO3, 30% protein, 20% chitin, 7% moisture, 3% ash) SC-80® (the chitin polymer 88% 12% moisture) were used evaluate heavy metals removal MIW. It was found that SC-20 very effective at neutralizing strong acidity MIW, even loads as 1 g/L equilibrium neutral. At load 2 g/L, showed final 7.94 with almost complete (>99.8%) iron (120 mg/L), lead (1.1 mg/L) zinc (79 mg/L), along partial cadmium (96% 1.3 mg/L), cobalt (54% 0.78 mg/L), copper (42% 72 mg/L), manganese (64% 52 mg/L) Metal achieved primarily neutralization precipitation mainly dissolution CaCO3 SC-20. SC-80 differentiate effect alkalinity amount metal adsorption achievable polymer. Lead (up 1.24 mg/g), 1.81 mg/g), 0.93 mg/g) single-metal solutions adsorbed onto (SC-80). seemed have minor role mechanism Overall, this study demonstrated crab-shell products can be an important alternative for MIW remediation.