The removal of Pb (II) and Cu (II) by adsorption onto activated melon peels (AEP) adsorbent was investigated
in this present paper. The adsorption data was well described by both the Langmuir and the Freundlich isotherm
models. Adsorption was found to increase with increase in temperature, contact time and adsorbent dose but
decreased with increase in pH. Pseudo-first order kinetic model was found suitable for describing the kinetics of
the adsorption process. The Freundlich isotherm model kf was 3.43 for Pb (II) and 4.05 for Cu (II) signifying a
preferential sorption for Cu (II) onto AEP in any industrial wastewater containing the two heavy metals. The
Freundlich parameter n being less than unity indicates that the adsorption of Pb (II) and Cu (II) onto AEP was
by physical sorption. Results from this study show that AEP could be used economically, for removing heavy
metals from wastewater
