A COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON THE ADSORPTION OF PHENOL AND LEAD

FROM LEKKI PHASE II UNDER-GROUND WATER USING LUFFA CYLINDRICA

AND ACTIVATED H2SO4 LUFFA CYLINDRICA

1Dr. ADERIBIGBE FATAI ALADE

Email: aderibigbe.fa@unilorin.edu.ng,

Affiliate: University of Ilorin, Chemical engineering department

2ENGR. TANIMOLA HAMED OLUWATOBI

Email: tanimolatobi@yahoo.com

Affiliate: University of Ilorin, Chemical Engineering Department.

3SAKA HARVIS BAMIDELE

Email: sakaharvis@gmail.com

Affiliate: Segmax oil Nigeria Limited, Ogbondoroko, Ilorin, Kwara State

 ABSTRACT

Lekki phase II underground water is an important water source that needs treatment before
drinking. Heavy metal (lead) and Organic Compound (phenol) have been detected to be above the
standard required limit. The chemical 3M H2SO4, was employed to treat the powder in the mass
ratio 1:1 each. The treated powder was then carbonized at 250℃, 300℃ and 350℃. Also, raw
Luffa Cylindrica powder was carbonized at 250℃, 300℃ and 350℃. These two samples were
then employed to reduce the targeted pollutants in Lekki phase II underground water. At optimum
condition which is: agitation rate of 200 rpm, dosage of adsorbent of 200 mg, contact time of 30
mins, and temperature of 30℃ , it was observed that the adsorbent (LC-AC - H2SO4 at 300 ℃)
reduces the initial concentration of phenol (120.50 mg/L) and lead (0.96 mg/L) in water to 77.87
mg/L and 0.52 mg/L, respectively. Result showed that for adsorption isotherm both phenol and
lead adsorption followed Freundlich adsorption Isotherm. Hence, this comparative study has
developed an adsorbent with high efficiency using Luffa Cylindrica (LC) which could treat Lekki
Phase II underground water effectively.

1.0 INTRODUCTION
The most important and essential solvent of the universe and ecosystem is water with
molecular formula of H2O. Water has a bent structure and has the ability to dissolve all other
substances because of its high polarity (Adak and Pal, 2009). The major sources of water
supplied to the community are assumed to be pollutant free and safe for consumption. In some
areas of the world especially, Nigeria, activities from rapid modern industrialization, domestic
and agricultural activities, environmental and global changes are polluting our environment.
Hence, water need to be free from major pollutants as the quality of water play a major role to
protecting human health, aquatic animals and wildlife in general (Mohd et al., 2009)

At low concentrations heavy metals like lead, phenol, cadmium, nickel, chromium etc. are
hazardous to the environment (Karunarathne and Amarasinghe, 2013). In water, lead
contamination occurs via glass industries, petroleum refining, battery manufacture, textile
dyeing, ceramics industries and mining operation, while household drinking water can be
2
contaminated with lead through the corrosion and leaching of lead pipes. Lead is poisonous and
it accumulates mainly in bones, brains, kidney and muscles which may results to the
development of cancer. The permissible level of lead in drinking water and surface water
intended for drinking as set by EU, EPA and WHO are 0.01, 0.05 and 0.01 mg L–1, respectively.
Hence, an extremely low concentration of lead in water is imperative. Furthermore, major toxic
and stable compounds such as phenol and its derivatives have been found to contaminate the
waste water of heavy industries such as the industries which produces resin, plastics, explosives,
steel, and leather. It is important to know that the phenol and its compounds so found in waste
water forms complex compounds such chlorophenol which are classified as priority and major
pollutant due to some properties such as high toxicity, the change in taste, carcinogenicity, foul
smell, low biodegradability.

Phenol at a very low level in water tends to be extremely harmful and makes it unsafe to
drink (Bazrafshan et al., 2016, Yousef et al., 2011, Biglari et al., 2013).

The environmental protection agency of the United States has listed phenolic compounds
as of major priority pollutants with a discharge limit to every water bodies in the United States to
< 1mg/l in treated industrial effluent for human protection. Moreover, in accordance with the world
health organization (W.H.O), it is recommended that a limit of 0.001mg/l for the concentration of
phenol in drinking water may be acceptable.

Lead and phenol are contaminants in water that are removed by various techniques
which includes chemical oxidation or reduction, filtration, adsorption, ion exchange,
electrochemical treatment, membrane filtration and reverse osmosis. However, most of these
methods have considerable disadvantages including incomplete and inefficient metal removal,
high capital, operational cost and the disposal of residual metal sludge which are not suitable
for small scale industries. However, of the various methods, adsorption with the aid of activated
carbon has proven to be cheaper and sustainable.

This comparative studies examines the capacity of an activated carbon derived from a
Luffa cylindrica produced in the laboratory to adsorb lead and phenol from Lekki underground
water solution. The influence of temperature, stirring rate, pH, contact time, quantity of
activated carbon, and concentration of lead and phenol on the adsorption process was
investigated.
3
2.0 MATERIALS AND METHOD

2.1 Materials

Luffa cylindrica were collected from rural settlement of Ogun state. The underground
water was collected from Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria. The following reagents were used during
the course of this research and were purchased in a laboratory at Lekki, Lagos state, Nigeria:
Sulphuric (H2SO4), Distilled water (All products of Sigma Aldrich).

2.2 Methods

2.2.1 Preparation of Adsorbents (Luffa Cylindrica)

The raw material (Luffa cylindrical) was washed with tap water and then with distilled water to
remove contaminants. It was then dried in an oven for 12 hours at 110 . The Luffa cylinderica
was further chopped into pieces, ground to powder and sieved with 200 µm to obtain uniformly
sized particles. An approximate analysis of the raw powder was conducted to determine the fixed
carbon, volatile matter, moisture content and ash content as shown Table 1.

Table 1: The proximate Analysis of the Luffa cylindrica

Parameter Value (%)

Volatile matter 46.66

Moisture 6.66

Ash 5.23

4
 Fixed carbon 41.45

To improve the surface properties of the raw powder, 3M H2SO4 was employed to treat the
powder in the mass ratio 1:1. The slurry formed was dried at 105 for 6 hours in an oven. After
6 hours, sufficient water was added to the mixture to remove the excess chemical. The washing
process with distilled water was repeated 3-4 times until pH becomes 7 (neutral). The treated
powder was then carbonized at 250 , 300 and 350 . The raw powder was also carbonized but not
chemically treated at 250 , 300 and 350 .

2.2.2 Adsorption Experiment

Prior to the adsorption experiment, the initial concentration of the phenol and lead in the
Lekki water was found to be 120.50 mg/L for phenol and 0.96 mg/L for lead. These values were
observed to be above the set standards depicting that the Lekki underground water need to be
treated. The experiment was carried out in using three classes of conditions: The condition of the
first category of adsorption process includes: Agitation rate of 200 rpm, dosage of adsorbent of
200 mg, contact time of 30 mins, and temperature of 30℃ ; The condition of the second category
of adsorption process includes: Agitation rate of 250 rpm, dosage of adsorbent of 300 mg, contact
time of 45 mins, and temperature of 40℃; The condition of the third category of adsorption
process includes: Agitation rate of 300rpm, dosage of adsorbent of 400 mg, contact time of 60
mins, and temperature of 50℃. This formed the basis for the selection of the best adsorption
condition and best adsorbent.

2.2.2.1 Experimental Studies

In a typical experiment, 200 mg of the adsorbent was poured into a 250 mL conical flask
containing 50 mL of Lekki underground water. The mixture was then place on a magnetic stirrer
and maintained at the temperature of 30℃. After 1 hour of adsorption process, the adsorbent
was separated from the waste water through a filter paper. After separation, the equilibrium
concentration of Phenol was measured with Visible light spectrometer while the equilibrium
concentration of lead was determined by AAS. The second and third category of experiments
5
was also performed accordingly. Overall, all categories were executed for all the 15 samples of
adsorbent and 45 runs performed. Also, the adsorption capacity and percentage removal of both
phenol and lead were also calculated using Equation 1 and 2 respectively.

(1) where 𝑞𝑒 is the

equilibrium adsorption capacity (mg/g), V is the volume of the solution (L) ,Co is the initial
concentration (mg/l), Ce is the equilibrium concentration (mg/l), M is the weight of the carbon
powder (g), The percentage removal is given by the expression below

(2)

2.3 Characterization of Activated Carbon

The properties of the activated carbon produced were determined before and after use by Fourier
Transform Infared Ray (FTIR) analysis, Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) analysis, Scanning
Electronic Microscope (SEM) analysis, X-ray Diffraction analysis. Fourier Transform Infrared
Spectroscopy (FT-IR) was employed to observe functional group present in the activated carbon.
Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) was used to establish the elemental composition of
the activated carbon synthesized. Scanning Electron Microscopy

(SEM) was used to examine the structure of activated carbon before and after use. X-Ray
Diffraction (XRD) was used determine the phase structure and crystalline size of the activated
carbon. Finally, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) was used to determine the pore size and surface
area of the activated carbon before and after use.

2.4 Adsorption Isotherm Studies

Equilibrium adsorption isotherms was obtained by contacting 20 mg of adsorbent with 50 mL of waste
water solution containing an initial concentration of 200 mg/L of phenol and 300 mg/L of Lead, agitation
time ranging from 0-60mins, temperature of 30 . The concentration (phenol and lead) of pollutants and
the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent was determined by fitting the equilibrium data to the Langmuir,
Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models. The applicability and suitability of the isotherm equation to
the equilibrium data were compared by judging the values of the correlation coefficients, 𝑅𝑒 and 𝑞𝑒 (𝑐𝑎𝑙).

6
 2.4.1 Langmuir Adsorption Isotherm

Langmuir adsorption model describes quantitatively the formation of a monolayer adsorbate on

the outer surface of the adsorbent, and after that no further adsorption takes place. It assumes that there
is no interaction between the molecules adsorbed on neighboring sites and that the intermolecular forces
decrease rapidly with distance and consequently help to predict the existence of monolayer coverage of
the adsorbate on the outer surface of adsorbent. The Langmuir Adsorption Isotherm is as revealed in
Equation 5

(5)

Langmuir adsorption parameters were determined by transforming the Langmuir equation (5) into linear
form.

(6)

where: 𝐶𝑒= the equilibrium concentration of adsorbate (mg L-1); 𝑞𝑒= the amount of metal adsorbed per
gram of the adsorbent at equilibrium (mg/g); 𝑄𝑜 = maximum monolayer coverage capacity (mg/g); 𝐾𝐿
= Langmuir isotherm constant (L/mg).

The values of 𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 and 𝐾𝐿 were computed from the slope and intercept of the Langmuir plot versus

(Langmuir, 1918). The essential features of the Langmuir isotherm may be expressed in terms of equilibrium parameter
RL as shown in Equation 6, which is a dimensionless constant referred to as separation factor or equilibrium parameter RL
(Chakravarti et al., 1974).

(7)

Where: 𝐶 𝑜= initial concentration 𝐾𝐿 = the constant related to the energy of adsorption

(Langmuir Constant). RL value indicates the adsorption nature to be either un-favorable if RL >1, linear if
𝑅L =1, favorable if 0 < 𝑅L < 1 and irreversible if 𝑅L = 0. The 𝑅L is greater than 0 but less than 1 indicating
that Langmuir isotherm is favorable.

7
2.4.2 Freundlich Adsorption Isotherm

Freundlich adsorption isotherm is used to describe the adsorption characteristics for a

heterogeneous surface. These data usually fit the empirical equation proposed by Freundlich. The
Freundlich model as shown in Equation 8 is an empirical equation based on adsorption on heterogeneous
surface or surface supporting sites of varied affinities. It is presumed that the stronger binding sites are
occupied first and that the binding strength decreases with the increasing degree of site occupation.

(8)

where Kf = Freundlich isotherm constant (mg/g), n = adsorption intensity 𝐶𝑒 = the equilibrium

concentration of adsorbate (mg/L), 𝑞𝑒 = = the amount of metal adsorbed per gram of the adsorbent at

equilibrium (mg/L). The constant 𝐾𝑓 is an approximate indicator of adsorption capacity, while is a

function of the strength of adsorption in the adsorption process (Voudrias et al., 2002). The smaller

the greater the expected heterogeneity. This expression reduces to a linear adsorption isotherm when =
1. If n lies between one and ten, this indicates a favorable sorption process (Goldberg et al., 2005).

The slope and intercept

𝑙𝑜𝑔𝐾𝑓 are obtained by plotting 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑞𝑒 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝐶𝑒

3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Adsorption Experiment

In the first condition (Condition 1) of the experiment agitation rate of 200 rpm, dosage of adsorbent of 200
mg, contact time of 30 mins, and temperature of 30℃ was utilize. The most effective adsorbent at this
condition was LC-AC- H2SO4 at 300 ℃ as shown in Table 2. The adsorbent reduces the initial concentration
of phenol (120.50 mg/L) and lead (0.96 mg/L) in water to 77.87 mg/L and 0.52 mg/L respectively. In the
second class of the experiment agitation rate of 250rpm, dosage of adsorbent of 300 mg, contact time of 45
mins, and temperature of 40℃ was utilize. The most effective adsorbent at this condition was LC-AC-
H2SO4 at 300 ℃ as shown in Table 3. The adsorbent reduces the initial concentration of phenol (120.50
mg/L) and lead (0.96 mg/L) in water to 81.87 mg/L and 0.74 mg/L respectively. In the third class of the

8
experiment Agitation rate of 300rpm, dosage of adsorbent of 400mg, contact time of 60 mins, and
temperature of 50℃ was utilized. The most effective adsorbent at this condition was LCAC- H2SO4 at 300
℃ as shown in Table 4. The adsorbent reduces the initial concentration of phenol (120.50 mg/L) and lead
(0.96 mg/L) in water to 87.87 mg/L and 0.67 mg/L respectively. Based on the results above, the adsorbent
LC-AC- H2SO4 prepared at 300 ℃ gave the best result. This adsorbent was used further employed for
other studies.

Table 2: Adsorption of Experiment Condition 1: Agitation rate of 200 rpm, dosage of adsorbent of
200 mg, contact time of 30 mins, and temperature of 30℃)

Adsorbents Carbonization Phenol (mg/L) Pb (mg/L)

Temperatures ( ℃)

𝐶𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑙 𝐶𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑑

LC-AC 250 105.46 0.56

300 165.74 0.60

350 94.20 0.54

LC-AC- H2SO4 250 96.29 0.54

300 77.87 0.52

350 100.44 0.59

9
Table 3: Adsorption of Experiment for Condition 2: Agitation rate of 250 rpm, dosage of adsorbent of
300 mg, contact time of 45 mins, and temperature of 40℃

Adsorbents Carbonization Phenol (mg/L) Pb (mg/L)

Temperatures ( ℃)

𝐶𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑙 𝐶𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑑

LC-AC 250 111.46 0.76

300 170.74 0.79

350 99.20 0.68

LC-AC- H2SO4 250 102.29 0.64

300 81.87 0.74

350 105.44 0.82

10
Table 4: Adsorption of Experiment for Condition 3: Agitation rate of 300 rpm, dosage of adsorbent of
400mg, contact time of 45 mins, and temperature of 50℃

Adsorbents Carbonization Phenol (mg/L) Pb (mg/L)

Temperatures ( ℃)

𝐶𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑙 𝐶𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐿𝑒𝑎𝑑

LC-AC 250 115.46 0.66

300 175.74 0.70

350 103.20 0.64

LC-AC- H2SO4 250 107.29 0.64

300 87.87 0.67

350 114.44 0.82

3.2 Characterization of LC-AC- H2SO4 Before use

3.2.1 SEM analysis of LC-AC- H2SO4

The SEM analysis for the LC-AC- H2SO4 at 300 ℃ before use was investigated as shown in Figure
1a. It displays the image of the sample surface at magnification of 830 µm on a mode of 15 kV before been
used. The morphological structure of the adsorbents showed that the molecules of the adsorbent are closely
packed together. It also showed that cracks exist between particles of the sample. This crack may have been
caused by the thermal treatment process. It also showed an irregular dispersion of the adsorbent particles
with randomly oriented which are slackly packed. Furthermore, The SEM analysis for the LC-AC- H2SO4
at 300 before use was investigated as shown in Figure 1b. It displays the image of the sample surface at
magnification of 830 µm on a mode of 15 kV after been used. The Morphological structure of the adsorbents

11
showed some smooth white shining particles unevenly dispersed with the particles of the adsorbent. It also
showed that irregularly shaped holes exist between particles of the sample.

Figure 2a shows the EDX Analysis of the adsorbent with the presence of some elements and their
compositions as shown in Table 5a. It revealed the presence of carbon atoms at 26.71 wt%, Sulphur at
16.77wt %, Oxygen at 14.36 wt % and other elements. The above two listed elements (Sulphur and Oxygen)
suggests that the LC-AC contains some amount of H2SO4 on activation. Furthermore, Figure 2b showed
the EDX Analysis of the adsorbent with the presence elements and their compositions as shown in Table
5b. It revealed that there has been a change in the chemical compositions of the elements in the adsorbent.
For example, carbon and oxygen decreases from 26.71 wt% and 14.36 wt % to 17.89 wt % and 11.63 wt %
respectively. This indicates that the adsorbents still retained it active site even after its usage while sulphur
increased from 16.77wt % to 17.54 wt %. It also suggests that the LC-AC still contains some amount of
H2SO4.

Figure 1: SEM Image of (a) LC-AC- H2SO4 at 300 before (b) LC-AC- H2SO4 at 300 After

Figure 2: EDX Analysis of (a) LC-AC- H2SO4 at 300 before (b) LC-AC- H2SO4 at 300 After

Table 5a: Elemental composition of LC-AC- H2SO4 at 300 (before)

12
 Element C S O Si Ca Cl P Ag Nb N Y Mg Al Na Ti Fe

Wt. 26.7 16.77 14.36 4.01 2.18 4.49 0.99 5.86 4.97 0.86 4.63 2.52 2.47 2.27 0.001 2.19 conc%

Table 5b: Elemental composition of LC-AC- H2SO4 at 300 (after)

Element K C S O Si Ca Cl P Ag Nb N Y Mg Al Na Ti Fe

Wt. 20.37 17.87 17.54 11.63 6.15 4.74 4.23 3.94 3.22 2.72 1.85 1.81 1.71 1.21 0.67 0.35 0.001
conc%

3.2.2 FTIR Analysis for LC-AC- H2SO4

The FTIR of the adsorbent was analyzed to confirm the presence of functional group in the
adsorbent. As shown in Figure 3a. Also, the vibration at 3600 - 4000 cm-1 from the chart strongly denotes
the hydroxyl group with OH stretching vibration at the diagnostic region (above 2000 cm-1), this could be
attributed to the presence of the hydroxyl group in the adsorbent. The wave number at the fingerprint region
shows that vibrations at 2500 cm-1 strongly suggest the stretching bonds between sulfates and the organic
compound. Also, the vibration at 1100.04 cm-1 represents the presences of sulfonates groups stretching
vibration. The FTIR of the adsorbent was analyzed to reconfirm the presence of functional group in the
adsorbent. As shown in Figure 3b, the vibration at 2500 - 4000 cm-1 from the chart strongly denotes the
hydroxyl group with OH stretching vibration at the diagnostic region (above 2000 cm -1), this could be
attributed to the presence of the hydroxyl group in the adsorbent. The wave number at the fingerprint region
shows that vibrations at 2500 cm-1 strongly suggest the stretching bonds between sulfates and the organic
compound. Also, the vibration at 1241.45 cm-1 represents the presences of sulfonates groups stretching
vibration.

13
before Figure 3: FTIR Analysis of (a) LC-AC- H2SO4 at 300 (b) LC-AC- H2SO4
at 300 After

3.2.3 XRD Analysis for LC-AC- H2SO4

Presented in Figure 4a is the XRD analysis of the adsorbent produced without chemical
treatment. The value of 2θ angles displayed between 10° - 70° peaks are ascribed to graphite. The peak
values at 28.18°, 29.16°, 30.91°, 32.67°, 36.88° and 68.02° revealed the presence of graphite, misenite

(K8H6(SO4)7, Kircherite [Na5ca2k]Si6Al6O24(SO4)2.33H2O, Hanksite (Na22 K(SO4)9(CO3)2Cl, Marialite

(Na4Al3Si9O24Cl), Mascagnite (NH4)2SO4 respectively. Therefore, the presence of these compounds
confirmed that the adsorbent is highly active and have been properly activated by sulphuric acid. Hence,
could be used as an adsorbent. To further confirm the presence of the crystal particles after adsorption
process, XRD analysis was carried out as presented in Figure 4b. The value of 2θ angles displayed
between 10° - 70° peaks are ascribed. The peak values at 28.18°, 29.16°, 30.91°, 32.67°, 36.88° and
68.02° suggesting the presences of graphite, misenite (K8H6(SO4)7, Kircherite

14
[Na5ca2k]Si6Al6O24(SO4)2.33H2O, Hanksite (Na22K(SO4)9(CO3)2Cl, Marialite (Na4Al3Si9O24Cl),
Mascagnite (NH4)2SO4 have shown slight deviation. The peaks values 22.11°, 26.18°, 27.07°, 43.0°,
50.33° and 60.19° reveals the appearance of hexagonal shaped crystal structures such as Marialite
(Na4Al3Si9O24Cl), Bubnovaite K2Na8Ca(SO4)6 and Potassian in the adsorbent.

Figure 4: XRD Analysis of (a) LC-AC- H2SO4 at 300 ℃ before (b) LC-AC- H2SO4 at 300 ℃ After
3.2.4 Thermo graphic Analysis of the Adsorbent (LC-AC- H2SO4 at 300 ℃)

Thermal stability of the adsorbent was investigated using thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and
differential thermal analysis (DTA) curves as shown in Figure 5. The TGA curve shows a weight reduction
of 80% (w/w) at a high temperature of between 300 and 450oC which can be ascribed the removal of
impurities and water from adsorbent. The DTA profile showed a significant endothermic peak between 200
and 600°C, which is also related to the removal of water and impurities. Stability tends to occur between
450oC to 887 oC.

15
Figure 5: The TGA-DTA Analysis of Adsorbent

3.2.5 BET Analysis for LC-AC- H2SO4 (Before and After)

The surface area analysis was performed using the multi-point Brunauer-Emmett-Teller plot
method while the pore size and volume were performed by the Barrett-Joyner-Halenda method. The
surface areas for LC-AC- H2SO4 were found to be 495.3 m2/g and 239.1 m2/g before and after use
respectively, this indicates that the adsorbent has a large surface area that could allow for properly
adsorption of contaminants. However, the surface area tends to reduce drastically. This may be due to the
rapid adsorption of the lead, phenol and other untargeted molecules on the surface of the adsorbent. Table
6 shows the BET analysis of the adsorbent both before and after. Also, the pore volume area and pore size
was found to be 0.2769 cc/g and 2.093 nm before use and 0.1219 cc/g and 2.138 nm after use
respectively. A decrease in the pore volume could be an indication that the contaminants tends to adhere
to the surface wall of the pores of the adsorbent. The pore size distribution above 2 nm indicates that the
particles of the adsorbents are nano sized.

16
Table 6: The BET Analysis

Samples Surface Area Pore volume area Pore size data

(m2/g) (cc/g) (nm)

LC - AC - H 2SO 4 at 495.3 0.2769 2.093

300℃(before use) 239.1 0.1219 2.138

LC-AC- H2SO4 at

300℃ (After use)

3.3 Adsorption Isotherm Studies

Agitation rate of 200rpm, isothermal temperature of 30℃, adsorbent loading 200 mg/g, time 30 mins
was used for the isotherm studies. The isotherms as shown in Figure 8 (Langmuir isotherm) and Figure
9(Freundlich isotherm) were investigated. The result is as presented in

Table 9. Langmuir’s isotherm showed a correlation coefficient (R-squared) of 0.8805 for phenol and
0.439 for lead. This result indicates that for the phenol adsorption process followed Langmuir adsorption
Isotherm. Also, for the Langmuir isotherm the obtained for both phenol and lead showed that the
adsorption process was favorable. Freundlich Adsorption Isotherm showed a correlation coefficient
(Rsquared) of 0.8801 for phenol and 0.7173 for lead. This result indicates that the lead adsorption process
followed Freundlich Adsorption Isotherm when compared with that of the Langmuir isotherm.

Furthermore, a value less than 1 obtained for 1/n in phenol adsorption indicates a normal Freundlich
Adsorption Isotherm while a value greater than 1 obtained for lead adsorption indicates a cooperative
adsorption process (Angin, 2014). Also, for Freundlich adsorption Isotherm the value of the obtained
is an indication adsorption capacity. A high gives a higher adsorption capacity. Hence, it could be
stated that for Freundlich isotherms, both phenol and lead was properly adsorbed.

17
 40
35
y = 0.8434x - 60.426 Phenol
30 R² = 0.8805
25
20
15
10
5
0
70 80 90 100 110 120
Ce (mg/l)

Figure 8a: The plot of

18
19
Figure 9a: the plot of 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒒𝒕 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝐂𝐞

0
-0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4
-0.2

-0.4

-0.6
Pb

-0.8 y = 1.3029x - 0.6523

R² = 0.7173
-1

-1.2
Log Ce

Figure 9b: the plot of 𝒍𝒐𝒈 𝒒𝒕 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝐂𝐞

Table 9: Parameters for the Adsorption of Phenol and Lead at 303 K

Models Parameters Phenol Lead

𝑄𝑚𝑎𝑥 1.1856 0.02 97

Langmuir

𝐾𝐿 -0.0139 -4.8747

𝑅𝐿 -1.481 -0.2717

𝑅2 0.8805 0.4393 Freundlich 𝐾𝑓 2.6 𝑥 109 0.2226

20
 -4.4245 1.3029

𝑅2 0.8800 0.7173

4.0 CONCLUSION

This comparative research study employed Luffa Cylindrica (LC-AC) and LCAC - H2SO4 as
adsorbents to treat Lekki phase II underground water by removing phenol and lead in an adsorption
process. It could be concluded that out of the three categories of adsorption conditions, category 1 (the
Agitation rate of 200 rpm, dosage of adsorbent of 200mg, contact time of 30 mins, and temperature of
30℃ ) gave the best percentage removal of the pollutants under preliminary study. And that the highest
percentage removal of phenol and Lead were found to be 77.87 mg/L and 0.52 mg/L, respectively which
are below the standard regulatory body (Standard of Organization of Nigeria). Hence, the treated Luffa
Cylindrica could significantly reduce the level of phenol and lead in Lekki phase II underground water.

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