RESUMO
The present study explores the effectiveness of Typha domingensis leaf powder for simultaneous removal of aluminium, iron, zinc and lead ions from aqueous solution. Batch experiments were carried out in laboratory at room temperature and at initial ions concentrations simulating the concentrations of these cations in real wastewater samples. The sorption process was examined applying the first and second order kinetic mechanisms. The results were best described by the second order rate kinetics. The applicability of the three equilibrium isotherm models was investigated. The obtained data follow the three investigated isothermal models in the following order: Langmuir > Freundlich > Temkin, for all the studied metal ions. The infrared spectra of native and exhausted Typha leaf powder confirmed ions-biomass interactions responsible for sorption. The results showed that Typha domingensis leaf powder can easily be envisaged as a new low cost natural biosorbent for metal clean up operations in aquatic systems