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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 10, No. 2
Publication Date: April 25, 2022
DOI:10.14738/aivp.102.11706. Nwagbara, V. U., Iyama, W. A., Kayini, C., & Kwaambwa, H. M. (2022). Efficiency of Moringa Oleifera Seed Biomass in the Removal
of Lead (II) Ion in Aqueous Solution. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(2). 412-429.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Efficiency of Moringa Oleifera Seed Biomass in the Removal of
Lead (II) Ion in Aqueous Solution
Nwagbara, Victor Uzoma
Namibia University of Science and Technology
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Windhoek, Namibia
Iyama, William Azuka
River State University, Institute of Geosciences and
Environmental Management, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Chigayo Kayini
Namibia University of Science and Technology
Department of Mining, and Process Engineering
Windhoek, Namibia
Kwaambwa, Habauka Majority
Namibia University of Science and Technology
Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, Windhoek, Namibia
ABSTRACT
This study was based on the evaluation of the efficiency and applicability of Moringa
oleifera seed biomass (MOSB) as adsorbent in the removal of Lead (Pb) in water.
The study was justified by the toxic nature of the study metal as the current
conventional processes of heavy metals’ removal are not environmentally friendly
and chemical coagulant very exorbitant. Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis
was used to characterise the Moringa oleifera seeds biomass functional groups that
may be present in the adsorption of metal ions. The observed components were the
carboxylic acid and amine functional groups (-COOH and -NH). The effects of contact
time, adsorbent dosage, metal ion concentration and pH were studied. Pb (II) ion
had a maximum adsorption capacity of 90% at pH 5, room temperature, and 0.8 g
dose of Moringa oleifera seeds biomass. The adsorption data fit better with the
Langmuir than Freundlich isotherm models. From the Langmuir model, the
sorption capacity (qm) of MOSB for Pb (II) ion was 6.19 mg/g. The results showed
that Moringa oleifera seed biomass is an effective adsorbent in the removal of the
studied heavy metal in water.
Keywords: Adsorption capacity, Adsorbate, Adsorbent, Freundlich isotherm, Lead,
Langmuir isotherm, Moringa oleifera seeds biomass
INTRODUCTION
Heavy metals are elements that have a specific density that is above 5 g/cm3 (Koller & Saleh,
2018). Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in human bodies is very detrimental because they are
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Nwagbara, V. U., Iyama, W. A., Kayini, C., & Kwaambwa, H. M. (2022). Efficiency of Moringa Oleifera Seed Biomass in the Removal of Lead (II) Ion
in Aqueous Solution. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(2). 412-429.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.102.11706
toxic and cause multiple damages to organs (Tchounwou et al., 2012). Technological processes
and scientific innovations have resulted in the release of toxic metals into the environment
which end up in this impeccable natural resource in many parts of the globe (Nwagbara &
Iyama, 2019). Heavy metals are non-biodegradable, toxic and carcinogenic, therefore, are very
hazardous to human health and aquatic ecosystem, especially, when their levels exceed
permissible limits (Briffa et al., 2020).
As it is mentioned earlier, water is not only a natural resource, but also vital for the survival of
living organisms and an economic good, which is the key driver of socio-economic
development. People need water for all kinds of activities like drinking, agriculture and
industry. Therefore, access to adequate and quality water supply leads to sustainable sanitation
and enhances human health and provides quality life for users (Andersson et al., 2016). Due to
increasing use of water for sustenance of living organisms and aquatic ecosystem leading to
consistent pollution, there is need to have supplementary low-cost treatment process. This is
because the conventional process of water treatment may not only be expensive but usually
environmentally unfriendly (Adhiambo et al., 2015). Araujo et al., (2013) agreed that the
presence of heavy metals such as Lead (Pb) in the environment (even in moderate
concentrations) can produce variety of diseases of the central nervous system
hypophosphatemia, cardiovascular diseases, liver damage, cancer, sensory disturbances, and
kidney impairment.
However, the conventional methods of water treatment which include ion exchange and
chemical precipitation have not been successful due to cost and environmental harm.
Therefore, there is need to remove heavy metals such as Pb from contaminated water using
Moringa oleifera seed biomass (biosorbent) due to their abundant availability, low cost, high
biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxic behaviour and ease of chemical modification.
Heavy metals contamination in the environment is a major global crisis which is a threat to
living organisms and ecosystem. The increase in the level of these heavy metals in all
environments, including air, water and soil is caused by industrial and domestic sources
(anthropogenic factors). Pollution of heavy metals in an aquatic environment is produced by
natural and anthropogenic sources which depend on the type of activities that are predominant
around the aquatic environment. Iyama et al., (2018) further emphasised that aquatic
ecosystem is the residual collection of pollution and heavy metals generated from either
geologic formation or anthropogenic activities that include agriculture and industrial activities.
Namibia is among the driest countries in sub-Saharan Africa that depends on underground
water and surface dams due to low and irregular rainfall (Kullgren & Perdell, 2010). In the
mining area of Tsumeb which is the focus area of this study, Tsumeb smelter produces about
60 000 tonnes of sulphur per annum which is discharged into the environment in the form of
sulphur dioxide (Mapani et al., 2014). Sulphur dioxide gas may combine with heavy metal like
Pb to form complexes that are not biodegradable and are poisonous water contaminants.
The major remarkable degradation of environmental quality is the emission of pollutants
containing toxic metals which is a serious problem threatening human health causing various
diseases and disorders (Wuana & Okieimen, 2011).
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European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 10, Issue 2, April-2022
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Several techniques have been used in the literature to remove heavy metals from industrial
waste or polluted water. Some of the known methods as explained by Ushakumary & Madhu
(2014), include chemical precipitation, coagulation and membrane filtration process. However,
these techniques are not cost effective, have undesirable environmental health effects, time
consuming and complex. Research is, therefore, needed to find cheap and environmentally
friendly methods of removing heavy metals from water.
Adsorption technique is regarded as the most efficient technique in removing heavy metals
(Mahamadi, 2019), but it is influenced by several parameters such as contact time, initial metal
concentration, pH and adsorbent dosage. The current study aims to use Moringa oleifera seed
biomass (MOSB) for adsorption to remove Pb(II) ion from contaminated water. It is also worth
noting that using the above material for water treatment may improve the culture of the species
aggregating rates to its co-product and promote a more sustainable development of Moringa
oleifera seeds biomass.
DESCRIPTION OF MORINGA OLEIFERA
Moringa oleifera is a species of the family Moringaceae. Moringaceae belongs to the family of
plants that belong to the order Brassicales. It is an angiosperm plant that is represented by
fourteen species and a single genus Moringa. It is a shrub or small tree that grows up to the
height of 12 meters (Araujo et al., 2013). It is usually a single trunk with an open crown trunk.
It grows mainly in the steppe climates and subtropics zone. According to Kwaambwa et al.,
(2012) Moringa oleifera can be found in sub-Saharan since it tolerates a habitat that is dry sandy
and poor soils.
Reddy et al., (2010) explained that Moringa oleifera traces its origin to Northern India and is
locally grown in many regions like Africa, Arabia, Southeast Asia, the Pacific and Caribbean
Islands and South America. The leaves are the parts that are mostly used because it is medicinal,
nutritional and its economic value. Fig. 1, 2 and 3 show the plant seeds and kernels of this tree.
Fig. 1: Moringa oleifera pods