Abstracto

Response surface methodology as an optimizing tool for removal of mercury from aqueous solution using Ficus Hispida L.

Rakesh Namdeti, King Pulipati

Response surface methodology involving a 24 full factorial central composite design was used to optimize the biosorption process of mercury by Ficus Hispida L. Influence of various parameters such as temperature, pH, biosorbent loading and initial mercury concentration on biosorption process was investigated. From the analysis of variance (ANOVA) results, the significance of various factors and their influence on the response were identified. The regression coefficient (R2) of themodel was developed and the results of validation experiments conducted at optimumconditions for the removal of mercury indicate that the predicted values are in good agreement with the experimental results.