Adsorptive removal of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions by a natural moss

Abstract The aim of the present research is to develop a new, fast, and easily applicable adsorption method for the removal of hazardous Cr(VI) and Cu(II) ions from the polluted industrial wastewater by using Racomitrium ericoides (Brid.) Brid. (REB), a type of moss. Although there are studies in the literature in which different moss species were used for the removal of heavy metals (HMs), REB was used for the first time in this study. Adsorption experiments were carried out through a batch system. The impact of significant experimental parameters showed that the optimum values of initial pH were 2.0 for Cr(VI) retention and 5.0 for Cu(II), and 360 min was selected as the optimum contact time for both HMs. An artificial neural network (ANN) model was applied to create a predictive model for the uptake efficiency of HMs. Adsorption kinetics of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) ions followed the pseudo-second order model. The maximum adsorption capacities of REB identified through the Langmuir model were 41.2 mg g−1 for Cr(VI) and 22.7 mg g−1 for Cu(II) ions. The results of the study demonstrated that REB can be utilized as an abundant, low-cost, and effective adsorbent in removal of HMs from aqueous solutions.