Aplicación de materiales derivados del raquis de banano para la remoción de cromo en solución acuosa

Abstract

Pollution by heavy metals is a worldwide concern due to its great impact on society and the environment. Chromium represents an important element within heavy metals since these substances are non-biodegradable, these metalloids generate physical-chemical alterations in ecosystems where they are segregated by industrialization. In Ecuador, pollution is caused by tanneries, clothing, footwear and paper manufacturing companies, which release sludge, ashes, liquid waste, among others, that contain mainly hexavalent chromium and are deposited in soil and water. For several years, new methods and technologies have been studied for the use of lignocellulosic wastes in the process of adsorption of heavy metals in water sources. The objective of this research is the application of materials derived from banana rachis as adsorbent materials for the removal of chromium in aqueous solutions. The materials derived from lignocellulosic wastes were elaborated from banana rachis, which was reduced in size, dried and subsequently ground, as well as sieved to obtain a particle size of 250um.