Removal of Toxicant Chromium (VI) from Aqueous Solution Using Different Adsorbents

The presence of Cr (VI) in aqueous solution, particularly waste water and its detrimental effect to human and aquatic organisms has led to the search for more readily available low cost adsorbents. Chromium is one of the main contaminants in the environment which originates from industries and it is known to be carcinogenic or mutagenic to man and aquatic organism, hence its removal becomes inevitable. This review paper discusses the use of agricultural wastes, synthetic materials and aquatic organisms as adsorbents for the removal of Cr (VI) from aqueous solution. Among other factors, it was noted that the adsorption of the Cr (VI) onto these adsorbents is largely influenced by the pore size of the adsorbent and the pH of the solution. Conclusively, there is need for more research on other inexpensive and readily available adsorbents for the removal of Cr (VI) from the environment.