Sequestering heavy metals from wastewater using cow dung

Abstract

The presence of heavy metals (e.g., Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cd, etc.) in aqueous solutions constitutes a major environmental problem. The present work represents a review of the recently published literature discussing the use of cow dung as adsorbent for the removal of metal ions from aqueous solution using batch experiments. The potential health and environmental hazards of metal ions in addition to the kinetic and isothermal models usually assessed to fit the biosorption experimental data were also reviewed. Conclusively, it was established that the use of cow dung is a promising adsorbent in the removal of heavy metals from waste waters and environment.