Adsorption of copper, lead and cadmium from aqueous solutions by activated carbon prepared from saffron leaves

Background: Industrial development has caused the release of various pollutants including heavy metals into the environment. These toxic compounds are extremely dangerous to living beings and the environment due to their non-biodegradability, severe toxicity, carcinogenicity, the ability to be accumulated in nature and the ability to contaminate groundwater and surface water. The aim of the present research was to provide an appropriate and cost-effective adsorbent to remove heavy metals from aqueous solutions. Methods: The activated carbon was produced from the dried. Batch experiments were performed on real and synthetic samples at room temperature. The effect of pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration, and contact time were studied, and the adsorption isotherms of heavy metals were determined. The removal efficiency was evaluated on real wastewater. Results: The maximum removal efficiency of heavy metals (copper, cadmium and lead) by activated carbon adsorbent prepared from saffron leaves was obtained in pH 7. The optimum amount of adsorbent was 0.6 g, and the optimum contact times were 45 min for copper and cadmium ions and 90 min for lead ion, respectively. In these optimum conditions the removal efficiencies were 76.36%, 91.25% and 97.5%, respectively. The removal efficiencies of heavy metals from actual samples (copper industry and the battery industry) in the optimum conditions were 82.25%, 69.95% and 91.23%, respectively. The results obtained showed the highest correlation with Langmuir isotherm model. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, the activated carbon produced from saffron leaves has a good capability in removal of the metal ions from the aqueous solutions. Considering the availability of saffron leaves in Khorasan, its cost-effectiveness, and high uptake capacity, it can be applied as a proper absorbent to remove the heavy metals from industrial wastewater.