Aplicación del composito magnetita-tusa de maíz para remover cromo total en aguas residuales de curtiembre

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution in industrial wastewater, particularly in the tanning industry, is due to the use of chromium salts, this metal being an important part of the waste generated. Since current treatments are expensive, it is essential to develop new techniques and materials that are more accessible and economical. In this context, the research aimed to develop and apply a corn magnetite-cob composite to remove total chromium from tannery wastewater. The composite was obtained in situ synthesis of magnetite on a hydrolyzed corn cob, then its characterization using various instrumental techniques. The chromium adsorption efficiency of the composite was evaluated by fixed-bed column studies using synthetic solutions and real water samples containing chromium. The results obtained by atomic absorption spectrophotometry indicate a high removal efficiency in the synthetic wastewater samples, although the real samples did not show such a marked efficiency. The penetration curves did not reach the saturation point at the established times, so they were determined qualitatively. In addition, the experimental results were by the Wolborska model. In conclusion, the corn magnetite-cob composite is a promising alternative for chromium removal from wastewater.