ADSORPTION OF HEAVY METAL IONS: ROLE OF CHITOSAN AND CELLULOSE FOR WATER TREATMENT
AbstractRapid industrialization and modernization have introduced substantial amounts of toxic heavy metals into the aquatic and terrestrial environment which possess a severe threat to flora and fauna. In recent years, considerable research work has been done and is currently underway on some natural biopolymers and their modifications to remove different kinds of heavy metal ions. Chitosan and cellulose, both naturally occurring polysaccharides are the most effective adsorbents for the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater. This review is aimed to provide relevant and recent information on the application of chitosan, cellulose and their respective derivatives for the removal of toxic heavy metal ions.