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Sustainable Heavy Metal Remediation Framework Using Activated Groundnut Shell–Derived Adsorbents: Optimization and Performance Evaluation for Pb and Cd Ion Elimination in Aqueous Systems

DOI https://doi.org/10.55640/corr-v04i04-04
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Dr. Chinedu Okafor 1 , Prof. Amina Bello 1 ,
4 Department of Research Governance African Institute of Open Science & Innovation, Abuja, Nigeria
4 University of Applied Research, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

The increasing discharge of toxic heavy metals such as lead (Pb²⁺) and cadmium (Cd²⁺) into aquatic ecosystems has emerged as a critical environmental challenge due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and severe toxicity even at trace levels. This study develops a sustainable heavy metal remediation framework using activated groundnut shell–derived adsorbents for efficient removal of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions from industrial wastewater. The research integrates adsorption-based water treatment principles with material modification strategies to enhance surface reactivity, porosity, and functional group availability of low-cost agricultural waste biomass. A comprehensive evaluation of adsorption mechanisms, including surface complexation, ion exchange, and pore diffusion, is conducted using insights from previously reported biosorption systems (Escudero et al., 2019; Argun & Dursum, 2008). Comparative performance considerations are drawn from similar low-cost adsorbents and activated carbon systems, demonstrating that chemically and thermally modified biomass materials significantly improve heavy metal uptake efficiency (Abdulrazak et al., 2017).

The framework also incorporates optimization variables such as adsorbent dosage, contact time, pH, and surface morphology to maximize adsorption efficiency. FTIR and surface characterization evidence from similar biosorbent systems highlight the importance of hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amine functional groups in binding metal ions (Ali et al., 2020). The study further interprets performance limitations of raw and carbonized groundnut shell bioadsorbents and proposes optimization strategies for overcoming residual contamination levels. Findings suggest that activated groundnut shell adsorbents offer a scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable solution for industrial wastewater remediation, although performance constraints persist under high metal concentration conditions.

Keywords

Biosorption, Groundnut shell, Lead removal, Cadmium removal

References

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It is therefore recommended that contact time with RBGS and CBGS bioadsorbents should be increased to enhance the removal of these heavy metal ions from contaminated industrial effluent to value below the permissible limits recommended by World Health Organization.
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The amount of lead and cadmium ions in the wastewater after treatment by the RBGS and CBGS adsorbents for 120 minutes contact time was still above the permissible limits for good water quality. Therefore, increasing the adsorbent dosage might completely remove or reduce the concentration of lead and cadmium ions to level below the permissible limits.
The different bambara groundnut bioadsorbents contain functional groups associated with single and double bonds of OH, C-H, N-H, C=O, C=C, and C-O, as indicated by the spectra produced from the FTIR analysis. These functional groups enhanced the adsorption capacity of bambara adsorbents for removing of Pb and Cd ions due to free and intra-molecular bonding.
The smoother surfaces of the RBGS and CBGS after the adsorption process, as revealed by the scanned images, is an indication that the pore spaces or vacant site were occupied by the Lead and Cadmium ions, thereby reducing their concentration in the wastewater.

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