Removal of hexavalent chromium from wastewaters by bone charcoal

The adsorption of hexavalent chromium onto bone charcoal was studied as a function of time, amount of charcoal, pH, concentration of chromium and sample volume. The cross interference with other elements was also investigated. Tests were carried out with solutions of chromium(VI) at concentrations between 5 and 25 mg · L^–1. Chromium removal efficiencies higher than 90% were achieved at pH = 1 using 2 g of bone charcoal and a stirring time in the order of 30 min. Acid and alkaline pretreatments of bone charcoal did not improve the sorption capacity of bone charcoal against Cr(VI). The presence of other ions had practically no influence on the chromium removal. The presence of a matrix of tannery effluents did not reduce the removal capacity of bone charcoal for Cr(VI), but it was confirmed that only 47% of Cr(III) can be removed using these conditions. Received: 20 July 1998 / Revised: 4 October 1998 / Accepted: 10 October 1998