ELIMINATION OF Pb (II) FROM WASTEWATER BY USING RIVER JHELUM SAND AS ADSORBENT

Abstract

Heavy metal contamination has become a major environmental concern in today’s world. This study focuses for the removal of Pb(II) ions from wastewater using Jhelum sand as a natural adsorbent. The sand was characterized through Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for the identification of functional groups and adsorption sites before and after the adsorption process. Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the adsorption behavior of Pb(II), optimizing key parameters such as shaking speed (120 rpm), adsorbent dose (2.5 g/100 ml), pH (5), and contact time (20 minutes) for a 30 ppm Pb(II) solution. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied on adsorption data, showing a good fit that indicates the efficiency and feasibility of the adsorption process. The negative Gibbs free energy and positive enthalpy values further confirm that the process is spontaneous and endothermic. Overall, Jhelum sand proves to be an effective, eco-friendly, and low-cost material for Pb(II) ions removal from wastewater and industrial effluents