Use of Gisenyi Volcanic Rock for Adsorptive Removal of Cd(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) from Wastewater

Volcanic rock is a potential adsorbent for metallic ions from wastewater. This study determined the capacity of Gisenyi volcanic rock found in Northern Rwanda to adsorb Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn using laboratory scale batch experiments under a variety of experimental conditions (initial metal concentration varied from 1 to 50 mg/L, adsorbent dosage 4 g/L, solid/liquid ratio of 1:250, contact time 120 h, particle size 250–900 μm). The adsorbent had a surface area of 3 m2/g. The adsorption process was optimal at near-neutral pH 6. The maximal adsorption capacity was 6.23, 10.87, 9.52 and 4.46 mg/g for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, respectively. The adsorption process proceeded via a fast initial metal uptake during the first 6 h, followed by slow uptake and equilibrium after 24 h. Data fitted well the pseudo second-order kinetic model. Equilibrium experiments showed that the adsorbent has a high affinity for Cu and Pb followed by Cd and Zn. Furthermore, the rock is a stable sorbent that can be reused in multiple sorption–desorption–regeneration cycles. Therefore, the Gisenyi volcanic rock was found to be a promising adsorbent for heavy metal removal from industrial wastewater contaminated with heavy metals.