Waste water treatment for heavy metal toxins using plant and hair as adsorbents

The adsorption of cadmium, mercury and lead by Cattails (Typha Plant) and human hair has been investigated to assess their possible use as adsorbents in the treatment of industrial wastewater. Capacity experiments were performed, and it was found that significant amounts of cadmium, mercury and lead were adsorbed by Cattails, while only mercury was adsorbed by hair. Depending upon the concentration, adsorption capacities varied from 1 to 27 mg of metal per gram of adsorbent. The relatively fast uptake of cadmium and lead by Cattail leaves suggests that a continuous process is viable. The results are similar in the case of hair and mercury.