Removal of Mn(II) from groundwater by sugarcane bagasse and activated carbon (a comparative study): Application of response surface methodology (RSM)

Sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as a low-cost biosorbent and activated carbon (AC) were used to remove Mn(II). The effects of three parameters, such as pH, adsorbent dosage (Ca) and initial metal concentration (C0) on the adsorption of Mn(II) were investigated using response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box–Behnken design. The maximum experimental Mn(II) removal efficiencies of 63% and 97% for SCB and AC, respectively, were obtained. Additionally, a chemical treatment by hydrochloric acid (HCl) was performed on SCB, and it was observed that chemical treatment of SCB had a significant effect on the adsorption, as the maximum removal increased up to 99%.