ABSTRACT
The use of clay as an adsorbent to remove pollutants from wastewater has recently attracted increasing attention because they are readily available, inexpensive, has a high surface area high chemical, and mechanical stability, and is environmentally friendly. In this study, raw clay samples were systematically collected from Imeagba Town, in Etsako East L.G.A. of Edo state. The clay was investigated for heavy metals removal from industrial waste effluent. The clay was mixed with water, laterite, and limestone (Pore former and flux), and different clay pellets were formulated which were later fired at 800oC in a firing kiln. Adsorption of Fe3+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Cd2+, Cr6+, and Pb2+ were investigated within 48hours. The raw effluent results showed a high level of heavy metals which were far above the FEPA and WHO standards. The experimental results showed a significant decrease in all heavy metals after treatment with the clay pellets. The clay pellets formulation 3 was found to be more effective for the reduction of Fe2+ concentration from 6.68 - 1.04 mg/l (84% removal). Formulation 4 was found to be the best for the removal of Cu2+ from 2.87mg/l – 0.11mg/l (97% removal), Zn2+ from 5.65 - 0.65 mg/l (88% removal), and Ni2+ from 6.65 - 1.48mg/l (77% removal). clay pellets formulation 1 was found to be best for the reduction of Cd2+ from 1.49 – 0.02mg/l (98% removal), clay pellets formulation 1 was best suitable for the reduction of Pb2+ from 1.55 – 0,8mg/l (94% removal), and formulation 2 gave the best reduction of Mn2+ from 2.23 – 0.71mg/l (68% removal). This study has highlighted the different formulations of clay ball pellets. Data from this study proved that metal cations from industrial waste effluent can be adsorbed successfully in significant amounts by modifying the Imiegba clay. This opens up new possibilities and potential commercial uses in the clay market.
