Lead Ion Removal from Water Using Fava Beans Pod-Derived Phytoadsorbents: A Green Approach

Year : 2025 | Volume : 12 | 03 | Page :
    By

    Salaheddin A. Sharif,

  • Widad S. El-Mugrbi,

  • Hameda A. M. N. El-Moghrabi,

  • Mohamed A. B. Mostafa,

  • Adel Alsharkasi,

  • Khadija A. Abubakr,

  • Reham B. A.-H. Al Hussein,

  1. Assistant Professor, Mercury Research Group, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Benghazi, Ghemines, Libya
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Benghazi, Ghemines, Libya
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Benghazi, Ghemines, Libya
  4. Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tobruk University, Tobruk, Libya
  5. Professor, Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya
  6. Student, Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, University of Benghazi, Ghemines, Libya
  7. Student, Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, University of Benghazi, Ghemines, Libya

Abstract

The contamination of natural ecosystems—particularly water bodies—with harmful chemical substances poses a serious environmental threat on a global scale. Among these contaminants, toxic heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury are especially concerning due to their non-biodegradable nature and ability to accumulate in living organisms. These metals can enter the human body through the food chain, even at trace levels, leading to various severe health issues, including neurological, developmental, and organ-related disorders. Therefore, the development of eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable technologies for removing such contaminants from aquatic systems is of high importance. In this study, we explored the potential of a phytoadsorption-based approach for lead ion removal using an agricultural waste material—empty fava bean pods. Dried pods were ground to particles ranging in size from 350 to 1000 μm and used as bioadsorbents under ambient conditions and neutral pH. A series of batch adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the removal efficiency. The results showed a considerable removal rate of lead ions, reaching up to 58.2%. Furthermore, the adsorption capacity of the biomass was determined to be as high as 50.0 mg/g, especially when low amounts of dry biomass were applied. These findings suggest that fava bean pods are a promising, low-cost bioadsorbent for treating heavy metal-contaminated water.

Keywords: Lead Ions, Phytoadsorption, Fava Beans Pods, Bioadsorbent, Heavy Metal Contamination

How to cite this article:
Salaheddin A. Sharif, Widad S. El-Mugrbi, Hameda A. M. N. El-Moghrabi, Mohamed A. B. Mostafa, Adel Alsharkasi, Khadija A. Abubakr, Reham B. A.-H. Al Hussein. Lead Ion Removal from Water Using Fava Beans Pod-Derived Phytoadsorbents: A Green Approach. Journal of Water Pollution & Purification Research. 2025; 12(03):-.
How to cite this URL:
Salaheddin A. Sharif, Widad S. El-Mugrbi, Hameda A. M. N. El-Moghrabi, Mohamed A. B. Mostafa, Adel Alsharkasi, Khadija A. Abubakr, Reham B. A.-H. Al Hussein. Lead Ion Removal from Water Using Fava Beans Pod-Derived Phytoadsorbents: A Green Approach. Journal of Water Pollution & Purification Research. 2025; 12(03):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jowppr/article=2025/view=213874


References

  1. Redha AA. Removal of heavy metals from aqueous media by biosorption. Arab Journal of basic and applied sciences. 2020; 27(1):183‒193.
  2. Bhat SA, Bashir O, Haq SA, Amin T, Rafiq A, Ali M, Américo-Pinheiro JH, Sher F. Phytoremediation of heavy metals in soil and water: An eco-friendly, sustainable and multidisciplinary approach. Chemosphere. 2022 Sep 1;303:134788.
  3. Karman SB, Diah SZ, Gebeshuber IC. Raw materials synthesis from heavy metal industry effluents with bioremediation and phytomining: a biomimetic resource management approach. Advances in Materials Science and Engineering. 2015;2015(1):185071.
  4. Rajakaruna N, Tompkins KM, Pavicevic PG. Phytoremediation: an affordable green technology for the clean-up of metal-contaminated sites in Sri Lanka. Ceylon Journal of Science. 2006;35(1):25.
  5. Xiong T, Dumat C, Pierart A, Shahid M, Kang Y, Li N, Bertoni G, Laplanche C. Measurement of metal bioaccessibility in vegetables to improve human exposure assessments: field study of soil–plant–atmosphere transfers in urban areas, South China. Environmental geochemistry and health. 2016 Dec;38:1283-301.
  6. Briggs D. Environmental pollution and the global burden of disease. British medical bulletin. 2003 Dec 1;68(1):1-24.
  7. Mitra S, Chakraborty AJ, Tareq AM, Emran TB, Nainu F, Khusro A, Idris AM, Khandaker MU, Osman H, Alhumaydhi FA, Simal-Gandara J. Impact of heavy metals on the environment and human health: Novel therapeutic insights to counter the toxicity. Journal of King Saud University-Science. 2022 Apr 1;34(3):101865.
  8. Zaynab M, Al-Yahyai R, Ameen A, Sharif Y, Ali L, Fatima M, Khan KA, Li S. Health and environmental effects of heavy metals. Journal of King Saud University-Science. 2022 Jan 1;34(1):101653.
  9. Caito S, Aschner M. Neurotoxicity of metals. Handbook of clinical neurology. 2015 Jan 1;131:169-89.
  10. Pandey G, Madhuri S. Heavy Metals Causing Toxicity in Animals and Fishes. Res. J. Animal, Veterinary and Fishery Sci. 2014, 2(2):17‒23.
  11. Clarkson TW. Metal Toxicity in the Central Nervous System. Environmental Health Perspectives. 1987, 75, 59‒64.
  12. Huynh AT, Chen Y-C, Tran BNT. A Small-Scale Study on Removal of Heavy Metals from Contaminated Water Using Water Hyacinth. Processes. 2021, 9:1802.
  13. Etorki AM, El-Rais M, Mahabbis MT, et al. Removal of Some Heavy Metals from Wastewater by Using of Fava Beans. Am. J. Anal. Chem. 2014, 5:225‒234.
  14. Dubey A, Mishra A, Singhal S. Application of dried plant biomass as novel low-cost adsorbent for removal of cadmium from aqueous solution. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2014, 11:1043–1050.
  15. Shartooh SM, Al-Azzawi MNA, Al-Hiyaly SAK. Pomegranate Peels as Biosorbent Material to Remove Heavy Metal Ions from Industerial Wastewater. Iraqi Journal of Science. 2013, 54(4):823‒831.
  16. El-Ashtoukhya E-SZ, Amin NK, Abdelwahab O. Removal of lead (II) and copper (II) from aqueous solution using pomegranate peel as a new adsorbent. Desalination. 2008, 223:162–173.
  17. Sekhar KC, Kamala CT, Chary NS, et al. Removal of heavy metals using a plant biomass with reference to environmental control. Int. J. Miner. Process. 2003, 68:37‒45.
  18. Prasad MNV, Freitas H. Removal of toxic metals from solution by leaf, stem and root phytomass of Quercus ilex L. (holly oak). Environ. Pollution. 2000, 110:277‒283.
  19. Mallampati R, Xuanjun L, Adin Av, et al. Fruit Peels as Efficient Renewable Adsorbents for Removal of Dissolved Heavy Metals and Dyes from Water. ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2015, 3, 1117−1124.
  20. Ben-Ali S, Jaouali I, Souissi-Najar S, et al. Characterization and adsorption capacity of raw pomegranate peel biosorbent for copper removal. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2017, 142, 3809‒3821.
  21. Dube D, Chingoma C. Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Household Drinking Water Using Acacia Galpinii Seeds and Seed Pods. J. Health & Pollution. 2016, 6, 7–14.
  22. Sharif SA, El-Moghrabi HAMN, El-Mugrbi WS, et al. Fava Beans (Vicia faba L.) Phytosorption of Pb2+ Ions from its Aqueous Solutions. Asian Journal of Green Chemistry. 2023, 7, 85‒90.
  23. Sharif SA, El-Mugrbi WS, El-Moghrabi HAMN, et al. Removal of Toxic Lead Ions from their Aqueous Solutions Using Fava Beans Phytoadsorption Technique. AlQalam Journal of Medical and Applied Sciences. Special Issue for 6th International Conference in Basic Sciences and Their Applications (6th ICBSTA, 2023), 2023, 71‒86, 2/12/2023.
  24. Sharif SA, El-Mugrbi WS, El Moghrabi HAMN, et al. Evaluation of Empty Fava Beans Pods as Bioadsorbent for the Removal of Pb2+ from Aqueous Solutions Using Phytoadsorption Technique. Al-Mukhtar Journal of Basic Sciences. 2024, 22(2), 114‒122.
  25. Sharif SA, Ansir NH, Eldagharye RNFM, et al. Evaluation of Pomegranate Peel as Bioadsorbent for Removing Lead Ions from Aqueous Solutions Using Phytoadsorption Technique. SJFSSU. 2024, 4(2), 53‒61
Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 12
03
Received 05/04/2025
Accepted 18/06/2025
Published 21/06/2025
Publication Time 77 Days
251

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics