Bio-absorption of Ni and Cd on Eichhornia crassipes root thin film.

Release of heavy metals into waterways without treatment can cause a significant threat to the environment. In this paper, we present a method of improving the removal of heavy metals by using Eichhornia crassipes roots (ECR) supported on a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) thin film. The functional groups of the synthesized PMMA sample were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. ECR roots dried fine powder has a small size and large surface area. They contain many polyfunctional metal-binding sites for both cationic and anionic metal complexes. The results show that using 0.1 g of ECR, about 70% of Cd present in the water was removed in 4 h; while under the same conditions, about 55% of Ni was removed. The concentrations of Ni and Cd were measured by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, a promising technique for the elemental analysis of heavy metals.