This investigation was performed to study the optimum conditions of the saltbush biomass

(Atriplex canescens) in order to clean up heavy metal contaminated waters. In addition to that chemical modification was used to identify biomass binding sites.

Lab experiments included studying pH, time ,temperature effects of the biosorption of the native and the chemically modified biomass, as well as the best stripping agent.

Experiments performed on the Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) biosorption by saltbush biomass

(Atriplex canescens) showed that the metal binding increased as pH increased from 2.0 to 5.0.

The highest amounts of Cu, Pb, and Zn bound by the native biomass varied from 48–89%, 89–94%, and 65–73%, respectively. The hydrolyzed biomass bound similar amount of Pb and 50% more Cu and Zn than the native. The esterified biomass had a lower binding capacity than native; flower, esterified flowers bound 45% more Cu at pH 2.0 than native flowers. The optimum binding time was 10min or less. More than 60% of the bound Cu was recovered using 0.1 mM HCl, while more than 90% of Pb was recovered with either HCl or sodium citrate at 0.1

mM. For Zn, 0.1mM sodium citrate allowed the recovery of 75%.

Results indicated that carboxyl groups participate in the Cu, Pb, and Zn binding.

Conference Title

Fourth conference on Biotechnology Research and Application in Palestine

Conference Country

Palestine

Conference Date

March 21, 2016 - May 21, 2016

Conference Sponsor

The Arab American University in Jenin