A Brief Study of Various Adsorbents for Removal of Ni Metal Ions from Waste Water

Discharge of waste water from industries is a major cause of heavy metal pollution of water. A large number of industries like electroplating, mining, paints and pigments, fertilizers, textiles, refining, smelting etc. discharge waste water containing heavy metals like Ni, Cd, Co, Zn, Hg, As, Cu, Cr, Pb etc. into water bodies. These metals have adverse effects on the health of humans, animals, plants and other organisms. Heavy metal pollution of water is becoming a major issue of public health and environment as these are non-biodegradable, toxic and carcinogenic. In the past few decades various researchers have employed a number of methods like membrane separation, ion-exchange, solvent extraction, precipitation, electrochemical process and adsorption for the removal of various heavy metal ions from waste water. Among these methods adsorption is found to be highly effective as it is cost-effective, easy to apply. Various adsorbents of different origin are used by different researchers like biomaterials, clays, minerals, resins, synthetic adsorbents, industrial by-products and many more for the efficient and effective removal of heavy metal ions from waste water. The present paper gives a study of the various adsorbents used for removal of Ni metal ions from waste water.