Kinetic studies of the biosorption of lead and zinc using tea leaf

Abstract: In this research work, Low-cost adsorbent was prepared from Camellia sinensis,

physicochemical characteristics and the effective removal of Lead and Zinc from an aqueous 

phase were evaluated.The Camellia sinensis adsorbent precursor was characterized in terms 

of adsorbent dose, initial concentration and contact time. Aqueous phase adsorption studies 

were carried out under kinetic studies of pseudo first order, pseudo second order kinetics and 

the residue concentration of Lead and Zinc were determined with the aid of a spectrometer. 

From the result of this studies, initial concentration has little effect in the removal, at lower 

concentration, the % removal is higher with just slight difference, in this study, the optimum 

initial concentration was 0.1 M. At optimal conditions, Lead and Zinc uptake increases with 

increase in biosorbent dose, in this study the optimum dosage was 2 g. The removal of Lead 

and Zinc was more than 90% in 10, 20, 30 and 40 minutes of contact time thus, presenting 

Camellia sinensis as a suitable adsorbent that can be used for effective removal of high Lead 

and Zinc concentration in water as shown by the adsorption kinetic studies.