Organic acids pretreatment effect on Rosa bourbonia phyto-biomass for removal of Pb(II) and Cu(II) from aqueous media

The sorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) form aqueous media by Rosa bourbonia waste phyto-biomass (RBWPB) pretreated with organic acids was investigated as a function of biosorbent dosage, initial metal ions concentration and contact time. The equilibrium biosorption data was analyzed using two kinetic models (pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order) and two isotherm models (Langmuir and Freundlich). The RBWPB was successfully applied for sequestration of both heavy metal ions; however, organic acids pretreatments decreased the metal adsorption capacity of RBWPB. The Langmuir model fitted well to the data, and the pseudo-second order kinetic equation could best describe the biosorption kinetics of Pb(II) and Cu(II) metal ions. Gibbs free energy indicated the spontaneous adsorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II) onto RBWPB.