Rajan, Darshan Namana (2026) Adsorptive removal of MN(II) and FE(II) from aqueous solutions using raw lime, lemon and pomelo peels. Project Report. Universiti Sains Malaysia. (Submitted)
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Abstract
The issue of heavy metal contamination in the Kelantan River basin and its tributaries, where it’s documented that Fe and Mn frequently exceed Malaysian National Water Quality Standards. To address this issue, this thesis investigates the adsorptive removal of Fe(II) and Mn(II) from aqueous solutions using unmodified peels of three common citrus fruits in Malaysia—key lime (Citrus aurantiifolia), lemon (Citrus lemon) and pomelo (Citrus maxima) as low‑cost biosorbents. The fruit peels were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify surface functional groups, and initially analysed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) to confirm the absence of initial Fe and Mn contamination. Following that, batch adsorption experiments were performed in synthetic Fe and Mn solutions under systematically varied pH (3–6), adsorbent dosage (0.2–0.8 g), contact time (10–80 min) and reusability over four adsorption–desorption cycles. Adsorption performance was quantified by AAS using multi‑point calibration curves with excellent linearity (R² ≈ 0.999 for both Fe and Mn), enabling accurate determination of post‑adsorption metal concentrations and percentage removal. FTIR spectra of all peels showed hydroxyl, carboxyl/carbonyl and ether/alcohol bands, with intensity changes after metal uptake implicating these groups involved in surface binding interactions with Fe(II) and Mn(II). Optimal pH was 5, with 0.2 g dosage and short contact times optimal across peels. Key lime achieved the highest Mn(II) removal (91.75%, retaining 76.95% after four cycles), followed by lemon (85.75%) and pomelo (77.25%), while Fe(II) removal was lower (lemon: 43.23% max; key lime: 31.45%; pomelo lower), confirming Mn(II) selectivity. Overall, the findings demonstrate that unmodified citrus peels—particularly key lime—are effective, low‑cost and sustainable biosorbents for Mn removal and moderately effective for Fe, offering a practical route for agricultural waste and a promising supplementary treatment option for metal‑contaminated waters, although further modification and broader metal testing are recommended to enhance Fe adsorption and extend applicability.
| Item Type: | Monograph (Project Report) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | forensic |
| Subjects: | R Medicine R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA1001 Forensic Medicine. Medical jurisprudence. Legal medicine |
| Divisions: | Kampus Kesihatan (Health Campus) > Pusat Pengajian Sains Kesihatan (School of Health Sciences) > Monograph |
| Depositing User: | MUHAMMAD AKIF AIMAN AB SHUKOR |
| Date Deposited: | 17 Aug 2026 04:25 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Oct 2026 08:29 |
| URI: | http://eprints.usm.my/id/eprint/64781 |
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