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Duckweed-lemna minor as green route for removal of chromium (VI) from aqueous solution

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Abstract

Dried duckweed-Lm aquatic plant was subjected to molecular modifications using quantum mechanical calculations. The molecular modeling simulates aquatic weed as a composite of cellulose/lignin/glycine. This model suggests the ability to remove inorganic pollutants from wastewater according to unique hydrogen bonding and high total dipole moment. For verifications, experimental efforts are performed for the phytoremediation of Cr (VI) from aqueous solution using a species of Duckweed Lemna minor (Lm) through adsorption process. Duckweed-Lm biomass was prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scan electron microscope (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Brunauer– Emmett–Teller (BET). The effect of several important parameters, such as pH, sorbent dose, contact time, temperature, sorption and desorption processes, was studied. The phytoremediation of Cr(VI) ion was found to be pH-dependent with a maximum removal of 64% achieved at pH of 3.8 and a lowest removal of 25% at pH of 9.5. The obtained adsorption results indicated that duckweed-Lm can be effective for chromium ion removal from aqueous solutions.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported in part by central laboratory, the laboratory of environmental science and industrial development department, faculty of post graduate studies for advanced sciences, Beni-Suef University and the laboratory of spectroscopy department at National Research Centre.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Science and Industrial Development Department, Faculty of Postgraduate Studies for Advanced Sciences, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62511, Egypt

    Hossam F. Nassar

  2. Spectroscopy Department, National Research Centre, 33 El-Bohouth St. 12622 Dokki, Giza, Egypt

    Medhat Ibrahim

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  1. Hossam F. Nassar
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Correspondence to Hossam F. Nassar.

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Nassar, H.F., Ibrahim, M. Duckweed-lemna minor as green route for removal of chromium (VI) from aqueous solution. Int J Environ Res 15, 275–284 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-021-00314-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-021-00314-4

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