Remediation of Heavy Metals in Water: Exploring the Efficiency of Iron-Impregnated Activated Carbon

The presence of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead in wastewater poses significant environmental and health risks. This study explores the effectiveness of iron-impregnated activated carbon (Fe-AC) as an adsorbent for the removal of these toxic contaminants from synthetic wastewater. The preparation of Fe-AC involved impregnating activated carbon with iron salts, resulting in a highly efficient adsorbent with enhanced adsorption capacities. Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of various parameters, including adsorbent dose, contact time, and pH, on the removal efficiency of arsenic, cadmium, and lead ions. The results indicated that optimal conditions for heavy metal removal were achieved at specific adsorbent doses and contact times, revealing Fe-AC's potential for significant arsenic, cadmium, and lead reduction from wastewater. Characterization of the adsorbent demonstrated a stable and uniform distribution of iron, contributing to high adsorption efficacy. The experimental data closely followed the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo second-order kinetics, confirming the suitability of Fe-AC for wastewater treatment. This research highlights the potential of using low-cost, iron-impregnated agricultural waste-derived activated carbon as an effective and sustainable solution for addressing heavy metal contamination in aqueous environments, thereby providing insights into practical applications for industrial effluent management and environmental remediation strategies.