Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)Leaves as an Adsorbent of Lead in Aqueous Solution

Abstract

Philippines is currently facing one of the greatest causes of poverty which is the lack of access to clean drinking water. The lack of clean drinking water is becoming a major problem worldwide due to the increased demands of growing population and urbanization (Kaushik, et al., 2012). Water impurities deprive the environment from safe drinking water that serves as one of the major needs of different organisms including the human population. These environmental and health issues triggered the researchers to come up with a research study on how to combat these problems. The researchers came up with a research study that uses Cilantro in adsorption of heavy metals. They aimed to determine if Cilantro is an effective agent in the accumulation of Lead (Pb). Specifically, this study also determined its morphological structure, amount of lead absorb and its biosorption capacity. This study proved that Cilantro is an effective material when it comes to adsorbing heavy metals. This study can help the country, especially now, when the world suffers from clean water shortage. Samples of aqueous solutions contaminated with lead were prepared with a constant concentration of 150ppm. On the other hand, cilantro leaves were pulverized to achieve its powdered form. Different amounts of the pulverized leaves, specifically 6g, 9g and 18g, were added to the contaminated solution and were mixed at a constant time in order to accumulate the heavy metal. The solution was filtered afterwards to separate the powder containing heavy metals from the filtered solution. Scanning Electron Microscope, Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and a formula were used to test the surface morphology, amount of Lead adsorb and biosorption capacity respectively. Cilantro leaves are significantly effective upon using them as a heavy metal accumulator because of their adsorption properties within the outer wall structure. Previous studies showed that there’s a hydroxyl group present in the outer wall of Cilantro that is ideal for absorbing and adsorbing heavy metals. The scanning electron microscope revealed that there are holes and spaces on the structure of the cilantro leaves which are the reasons why these are capable of adsorbing lead. Determination of the heavy metal accumulation was done by conducting Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Setups A, B, and C were effective in accumulating Lead in the aqueous solution because all of these gave a zero concentration of Lead. Upon using the formula, all gave 100% biosorption capacity which supported the tests done. In obtaining the significant difference, Analysis of Variance was used. It shows a significant difference between the three setups and activated carbon. Therefore, it was concluded that Cilantro is a feasible agent in the adsorption of Lead in an aqueous solution.