Abstract

Lignocellulose materials such as coconut fiber and rice husk can function as bioadsorbent and/or ion-exchanger in removing heavy metal ions. In this paper a study of removing heavy metal ions Cd2+ and Ni2+ by coconut fiber and rice husk are conducted to investigate their ability of adsorbing and ion-exchanging. Results obtained show that activated coconut fiber can remove heavy metals Cd2+ and Ni2+ as effectively as Zeolite A and cationit resin. Ability of rice husk is somewhat less effective than coconut fiber.