Effects of organic acids on the adsorption of heavy metal ions by chitosan flakes

Abstract

Abstract The effects of two different organic acids, citric and oxalic, on the capacity of chitosan flakes to remove heavy metal ions, namely Zn2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ from aqueous solutions were studied. A significant reduction in chitosan's adsorption capacity for heavy metal ions was observed in response to both organic acids, particularly when used at concentrations higher than 10‐2M. The magnitude of reduction in response to citric acid was slightly greater as compared to oxalic acid.