Petiolar felt-sheath of palm: a new biosorbent for the removal of heavy metals from contaminated water

Biosorption of heavy metals such as Pb2+, Ni2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Cr3+ and Zn2+ by petiolar felt-sheath of palm (PFP) from contaminated water was examined. PFP was found to efficiently remove all the toxic metal ions with selectivity order of Pb2+>Cd2+>Cu2+>Zn2+>Ni2+>Cr3+. The uptake was rapid, with more than 70% completed within 15 min. The bound metal ions were successfully desorbed and the PFP fibrous–biomass remained effective after several adsorption–desorption cycles.