THE USE OF ACTIVATED SNAILS (Achanita fulica) AND FISH SCALES OF TILAPIA (Oreochromis niloticus) IN THE REMOVAL OF HEAVY METALS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS: A COMPARATIVE STUDIES.

Okpaegbe, U.C , Magomya, A.M , Adanu, R.E

Keywords: Activated Snail shell, Activated Fish scale, Adsorption, Bio-adsorbents, Nickel, Chromium.

Abstract: In this study, a comparative investigation into the adsorption potential of Activated Snail Shells (Achanita fulica)(ASS) and Activated Fish Scales of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)(AFS) for the removal of Nickel (Ni) and Chromium (Cr) from aqueous solutions was carried out. The adsorbents were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), which revealed that AFS possesses a more chemically reactive surface with diverse organic functional groups (–OH, –NH, and C–O–C) and a highly porous, flaky morphology compared to the denser, inorganic silicate structure of ASS. Batch adsorption experiments demonstrated that metal removal is significantly influenced by environmental parameters. Ni adsorption was found to be endothermic, showing enhanced capacity at higher temperatures, whereas Cr adsorption was exothermic, favouring lower temperatures. Equilibrium was rapidly achieved for both metals within 10 minutes, indicating a time-efficient process. The removal efficiency was also found to be concentration-dependent, with higher initial concentrations providing a stronger driving force for mass transfer. The adsorption data were modelled using Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms, confirming a combination of monolayer coverage and heterogeneous surface interactions. Kinetic studies showed an excellent conformity with the pseudo-second-order model, suggesting that chemisorption involving chemical interactions between the metal ions and the adsorbent functional groups is the rate-limiting step. While both materials proved to be effective, low-cost bio-adsorbents, FS demonstrated superior and more consistent performance due to its more developed porous structure and richer surface chemistry. These findings highlight the potential of utilizing aquatic and terrestrial waste products as sustainable solutions for industrial wastewater treatment.Keywords: Activated Snail shell, Activated Fish scale, Adsorption, Bio-adsorbents, Nickel,

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"THE USE OF ACTIVATED SNAILS (Achanita fulica) AND FISH SCALES OF TILAPIA (Oreochromis niloticus) IN THE REMOVAL OF HEAVY METALS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS: A COMPARATIVE STUDIES.", JETNR - JOURNAL OF EMERGING TRENDS AND NOVEL RESEARCH (www.JETNR.org), ISSN:2984-9276, Vol.4, Issue 6, page no.b727-b740, June-2026, Available :https://rjpn.org/JETNR/papers/JETNR2606201.pdf

Volume 4 Issue 6, June-2026

Pages : b727-b740

Paper Reg. ID: JETNR_235173

Published Paper Id: JETNR2606201

Downloads: 00078

Research Area: Chemistry All

Country: Wukari, Taraba, Nigeria

Published Paper PDF: https://rjpn.org/JETNR/papers/JETNR2606201

Published Paper URL: https://rjpn.org/JETNR/viewpaperforall?paper=JETNR2606201

ISSN: 2984-9276 | IMPACT FACTOR: 9.87 Calculated By Google Scholar | ESTD YEAR: 2023

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