APLIKASI ABSORBEN DAN FILTER CHITOSAN DARI LIMBAH CANGKANG KEPITING UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KUALITAS AIR YANG MENGANDUNG LOGAM BERAT

Abstract

Chitosan is a natural polymer derived from crab shell waste through a process of deproteination,
demineralization, and deacetylation. Chitosan reported to be an effective adsorbent to remove some
heavy metals. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of chitosan from crab shell
waste as an adsorbent and filter for increase water quality that contain heavy metals such as mercury
(Hg) and lead (Pb). This experimental involved the determination of the adsorption and filter of chitosan
for mercury and lead ion. It was used solution of 500 mg/L lead and 1 mg/L mercury and was added
chitosan 0 %/ 2 % and 4 %. Then the mixture was continuously stirred using magnetic stirrer for 1
hours at room temperature. After that solution was filtered and filtrate were analyzed using atomic
adsorption spectroscopy to determine amount of lead and mercury adsorbed by chitosan. The result
indicated that the adsorption capacity of chitosan depends strongly on concentration of chitosan and on
the species of metallic ions in the water. The adsorption capacity for the mercury on chitosan was lower
than lead. Chitosan, a type of biopolymer, is a good adsorbent to remove various kinds of heavy metal
ions. Chitosan has the highest adsorption capacity for mercury and lead ions because they have functional
groups such as hydroxyls and amines which can bind mercury and lead ions. This chitosan can be a good
candidate as adsorbent for adsorption of not only mercury and lead ions but also other heavy metal ions in
water.