Removal of Mn(II) from groundwater by sugarcane bagasse and activated carbon (a comparative study): Application of response surface methodology (RSM)

Sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as a low-cost biosorbent and activated carbon (AC) were used to remove Mn(II). The effects of three parameters, such as pH, adsorbent dosage (C-a) and initial metal concentration (C-o) on the adsorption of Mn(II) were investigated using response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box-Behnken design. The maximum experimental Mn(II) removal efficiencies of 63% and 97% for SCB and AC, respectively, were obtained. Additionally, a chemical treatment by hydrochloric acid (HCl) was performed on SCB, and it was observed that chemical treatment of SCB had a significant effect on the adsorption, as the maximum removal increased up to 99%. (C) 2014 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.