Studies on the remediation of chromium(VI) from simulated wastewater using novel biomass of Pinus kesiya cone

Hexavalent chromium pollution in water puts forward a huge threat to environment and human health. Conventional methods of heavy metal removal from water generate toxic by-products, which mandate the use of efficient and alternative biosorbent-based strategies. In this study, a novel biosorbent Pinus kesiya cone biomass has been investigated for the hexavalent chromium removal from aqueous solutions. The biosorbent characteristics have been analyzed using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, field emission scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction and electron spin resonance analyses. Parameters influencing the biosorption process were optimized as pH 2.0, temperature 303 K, initial Cr(VI) concentration 500 mg/L, biosorbent dose 0.5 g/L, biosorbent size of