The removal of toxic metal ions from drinking water by using tea bags containing bio-waste materials

Heavy metal remediation of aqueous streams is of special concern due to the persistence of heavy metals in the environment. The objective of this research was to determine the adsorptive ability of orange peel from water containing traces of heavy metals using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES).;Waste Orange peel was powdered and used as a biosorbent in tea bags. Orange peel is rich in pectin, which upon crystallization forms three-dimensional ring like structures, which entrap the metal ions. The effect of pH, initial metal concentration, and contact time was investigated to achieve the best adsorption conditions. The adsorption was maximum after the first 15 minutes and further increased or equilibrium was achieved after 30-45 minutes. The removal efficiency was found to be maximum around neutral pH. Desorption technique has proved the ease with which orange peel can be regenerated for reuse. The orange peel was found to be effective in removal of heavy metals from water. A low cost, low-tech method for removal metals from drinking water with nearly 90% efficiency was developed.