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Cited by 3,444Adsorption and biosorption for pollutant removalEnvironmental remediation with nanomaterialsHeavy Metal Pollution Remediation

Low-cost adsorbents for heavy metals uptake from contaminated water: a review

Babel, S·2003·Journal of Hazardous Materials
DOI 10.1016/s0304-3894(02)00263-7
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Abstract

In this article, the technical feasibility of various low-cost adsorbents for heavy metal removal from contaminated water has been reviewed. Instead of using commercial activated carbon, researchers have worked on inexpensive materials, such as chitosan, zeolites, and other adsorbents, which have high adsorption capacity and are locally available. The results of their removal performance are compared to that of activated carbon and are presented in this study. It is evident from our literature survey of about 100 papers that low-cost adsorbents have demonstrated outstanding removal capabilities for certain metal ions as compared to activated carbon. Adsorbents that stand out for high adsorption capacities are chitosan (815, 273, 250 mg/g of Hg(2+), Cr(6+), and Cd(2+), respectively), zeolites (175 and 137 mg/g of Pb(2+) and Cd(2+), respectively), waste slurry (1030, 560, 540 mg/g of Pb(2+), Hg(2+), and Cr(6+), respectively), and lignin (1865 mg/g of Pb(2+)). These adsorbents are suitable for inorganic effluent treatment containing the metal ions mentioned previously. It is important to note that the adsorption capacities of the adsorbents presented in this paper vary, depending on the characteristics of the individual adsorbent, the extent of chemical modifications, and the concentration of adsorbate.

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  • The toxic impact of heavy metals escalates with increased concentrations; hazardous heavy metals may be very harmful to humans if ingested in amounts that exceed the maximum contamination level permitted in drinking water.

    “The toxic impact of heavy metals escalates with increased concentrations; hazardous heavy metals may be very harmful to humans if ingested in amounts that exceed the maximum contamination level permitted in drinking water.165,166”

    From Emerging nanotechnology approaches for sustainable water treatment and heavy metals removal: a comprehensive review (2025) · cites this paper as [166]

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Authors
Babel, S.
Affiliations
Thammasat University (TH)
Corresponding author
Babel, S
ORCID
Babel, S
Venue
Journal of Hazardous Materials
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2003-02-28
Volume
97
Issue
1-3
Pages
219-243
ISSN
0304-3894 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/s0304-3894(02)00263-7
OpenAlex
W2037678953
Cited by
3,444
References
71
Citations by year
2026: 136 · 2025: 126 · 2024: 127 · 2023: 138 · 2022: 179 · 2021: 235 · 2020: 201 · 2019: 230 · 2018: 237 · 2017: 211 · 2016: 169 · 2015: 196 · 2014: 211 · 2013: 189 · 2012: 177
FWCI
68.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Hazardous Materials (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Adsorption and biosorption for pollutant removal
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Environmental remediation with nanomaterials
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Heavy Metal Pollution Remediation
Keywords
low-cost adsorbent, heavy metal removal, water treatment, chitosan, zeolites, waste slurry, lignin, activated carbon, adsorption capacity, mercury, chromium, cadmium, lead, industrial wastewater treatment
MeSH terms
Adsorption, Biocompatible Materials, Carbon, Chelating Agents, Chitin, Cost Control, Waste Disposal, Fluid, Water Pollutants, Zeolites, Water Purification, Metals, Heavy, Chitosan

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