Kinetic Studies on Removal of Fluoride from Drinking Water by using Tamarind Shell and Pipal leaf Powder

Abstract The study aimed to develop adsorbents from leaves of Ficus religiosa (Pipal) and Tamarindus Indica (Tamarind) fruit shell to remove fluoride from drinking water. Batch adsorption experiments were undertaken on natural adsorbents (Tamarindus Indica and Ficus religiosa) developed from locally available trees to assess their suitability to remove fluoride from drinking water. The effect of controlling parameters of adsorption like pH, dose of adsorbent, contact time and initial sorbate concentration on fluoride removal efficiency was studied and optimum values for maximum uptake were found. Tamarind fruit shell exhibited highest fluorine removal efficiency about 85% at pH of 2, initial fluorine concentration of 3 mg/l, contact time of 90 min, adsorbent dosage of 2g/100ml and maintaining temperature of 307 K. The maximum adsorption of fluoride for Pipal leaf powder (79%) was observed at pH 2, the optimum sorbent doses were found to be 2.0 g/l. The equilibrium was achieved in 1.5 and 2 hour, respectively. The obtained data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms

Trace metals in vegetables and fruits cultivated around the surroundings of Tummalapalle uranium mining site, Andhra Pradesh, India

AbstractVegetables (Tomato – Solanum lycopersicum, green chilli – Capsicum annum and bitter gourd – Momordica charantia) and fruits (Banana – Musa acuminata colla, papaya – Carica papaya and mosambi – Citrus limetta) from the cultivated areas around the Tummalapalle uranium mining site were analyzed for trace metals (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Be, V, Co, Cd and U) using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). As per the estimated data, the concentrations of trace metals in vegetables and fruits are found in the range of 47.5–7.8 mg/kg for Al, 9.7–1.0 mg/kg for Cr, 3.8–1.0 mg/kg for Mn, 75.5–13.9 mg/kg for Fe, 1.4–0.2 mg/kg for Ni, 2.3–0.8 mg/kg for Cu, 9.2–3.1 mg/kg for Zn, 0.2–1.4 mg/kg for Pb, 19.2–1.9 μg/kg for Be, 96.1–15.8 μg/kg for V, 48.2–12.9 μg/kg for Co, 46.5–2.3 μg/kg for Cd and 16.4–2.7 μg/kg for U. The trace metals observed are compared to the literature reported values. Trace elemental data were subjected to statistical analysis to examine the interrelationship between the investigated trace elements and possible source identification of the trace metal contamination in vegetable and fruits. Daily intake of trace metals through ingestion of vegetables and fruits are also calculated