Synthesis of nano ferrites and immobilized in polymer matrix for heavy metal removal

Abstract

In recent years, water resources in the earth are exposed to a systematic pollution due to increase in water abstraction by diverse human activities. Water pollution is of great concern since water is the inevitable requisite for the survival of all living organisms. Thus, wastewater treatment and re-use of this treated wastewater is mandatory for sustainable development. The stringent environmental legislations have reinforced the research on efficient low cost remediation technologies to overcome the problems associated with existing methods. Excessive release of heavy metals into the environment due to industrialization and urbanization has posed a great problem worldwide. Unlike organic pollutants, the majority of which are susceptible to biological degradation, heavy metal ions do not degrade into harmless end products. The presence of heavy metal ions is of major concern due to their toxicity to many life forms. Heavy metal contamination exists in aqueous wastes of many industries, such as metal plating, mining operations, tanneries, radiator manufacturing, smelting, alloy industries and storage battery industries. Due to the discharge of large amounts of metal-contaminated wastewater from industries bearing heavy metals, such as Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, As, Pb and Zn aquatic environment get affected. Because of their high solubility in the aquatic environments, heavy metals can be absorbed by living organisms. Once they enter the food chain, large concentration of heavy metals may get accumulated in the human body. If the metals are ingested beyond the permitted concentration, they can cause serious health disorders. newline