CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER ONE
Nickel is widely used in processes like mining, electroplating, and manufacturing, and traces of it can enter aquatic environments. Because of its persistence and potential impact on living organisms,
The exploration of efficient and eco-friendly approaches to remove nickel from water has become an important area of scientific interest.
Recent reviews and experimental studies document nickel's widespread presence in industrial effluents and summarize its toxic effects on aquatic organisms and humans, underscoring the need for practical removal strategies.
Local studies and environmental assessments have also documented nickel and other mining-related contaminants in Philippine waters and coastal areas, highlighting real cases where nickel exposure has affected aquatic environments and local communities and reinforcing the urgency of locally appropriate remediation methods.
Research demonstrates that elevated nickel concentrations adversely affect fish physiology, disrupt reproductive processes, and alter aquatic community structures.
In humans, prolonged exposure to high nickel levels is associated with respiratory, renal, and dermatological complications, and occupational exposure has been linked to carcinogenic risks.
Among these, the banana The pseudostem has shown considerable promise due to its abundance, lignocellulosic composition, and functional groups capable of binding metal ions. The pseudostem is rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, making it an effective material for adsorption processes, and it is widely available in banana-producing countries such as the Philippines, where it is often discarded as agricultural waste.
Despite these encouraging findings, significant gaps remain that limit the practical application of banana pseudostem-derived adsorbents for nickel removal at scale.
Prior studies differ in preparation methods, activation or modification processes, contact times, initial metal concentrations, and dosages, making cross-study comparison challenging.
BANANA PSEUDOSTEM - BADANAYAK ET AL AND HOSSAIN ET AL
BANANA PSEUDOSTEM - BADANAYAK ET AL AND HOSSAIN ET AL
Banana pseudostem is an agricultural by-product produced after banana harvesting and is commonly treated as waste despite its potential industrial and environmental value. Structurally, it is composed of tightly packed leaf sheaths that form a fibrous, water-rich, and lignocellulosic biomass containing functional groups such as hydroxyl and carboxyl groups that enhance contaminant interaction.
- Badanayak talks about the lignocellulosic characteristics and functional groups such as carboxyl and hydroxyl groups which enhance the contaminant interactions or binds metal ions.
Literature consistently describes banana pseudostem as abundant, renewable, biodegradable, and low-cost, making it suitable for sustainable technologies.
- Hossain talks about its practical and economic feasibility.
Quantitative studies support the adsorptive capability of banana pseudostem for heavy metal removal.
Bagali conducted batch adsorption experiments using banana pseudostem powder for lead removal under varying pH, adsorbent dosage, initial metal concentration, and contact time. The results showed a maximum adsorption capacity of thirty-four point two one milligrams per gram based on the Langmuir isotherm model.
- Bagali has a quantitative study using banana pseudostem for lead removal then varying pH, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration and contact time.