Grape bagasse as an alternative natural adsorbent of cadmium and lead for effluent treatment.

This work investigated the utilization of grape bagasse as an alternative natural adsorbent to remove Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions from laboratory effluent. X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analyses, surface analysis, porosity and porous size were used for characterization of the material. Batch experiments were carried out to evaluate the adsorption capacity of the material. Parameters such as adsorption pH and contact time were optimized for the maximum accumulation onto the solid surface. The pH values found were 7 and 3 for Cd(II) and Pb(II), respectively, and contact time was 5 min for both metals. Adsorption capacity for metals were calculated from adsorption isotherms by applying the Langmüir model and found to be 0.774 and 0.428 mmol g(-1) for Cd(II) and Pb(II), respectively. The competition between metals for the same adsorption sites on grape bagasse was also evaluated, showing an increasing affinity for Pb(II) over Cd(II) when only these metals are present. The potential of this material was demonstrated by efficient metal removal from laboratory effluent using a glass column. The results indicate that the referred material could be employed as adsorbent for effluent treatment, especially due to its easy acquisition and low cost as well as the fast adsorption involved.

Box-Behnken design: an alternative for the optimization of analytical methods.

The present paper describes fundamentals, advantages and limitations of the Box-Behnken design (BBD) for the optimization of analytical methods. It establishes also a comparison between this design and composite central, three-level full factorial and Doehlert designs. A detailed study on factors and responses involved during the optimization of analytical systems is also presented. Functions developed for calculation of multiple responses are discussed, including the desirability function, which was proposed by Derringer and Suich in 1980. Concept and evaluation of robustness of analytical methods are also discussed. Finally, descriptions of applications of this technique for optimization of analytical methods are presented.

Grape bagasse as a potential biosorbent of metals in effluent treatments.

Grape bagasse generated in the wine production process was characterized through X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance and thermogravimetric analysis. The efficiency of this natural material for Cd(II) and Pb(II) adsorption was evaluated using a batch adsorption technique. Factors affecting metal adsorption such as pH and contact time were investigated. Maximum adsorption was found to occur at pH 7.0 and 3.0 for Cd(II) and Pb(II), respectively, and a contact time of 5min was required to reach equilibrium for both metals. With these conditions, adsorption studies were performed using a single solution. In addition, to calculate the adsorption capacities for each metal, the Langmüir isotherm model was used. The adsorption capacities were found to be 0.479 and 0.204mmolg(-1) for Cd(II) and Pb(II), respectively. The results showed that grape bagasse could be employed as a low-cost alternative adsorbent for effluent treatment.