Activated Chicken Eggshells as Novel free essay sample

A recent report highlighted the difficulties which the disposal of eggshells presents to egg processors. In the report, it was estimated that some 10-11,000 tons of egg shell has to be disposed of each year by egg processors and producers of hard cooked eggs. The vast majority of this is produced by comparatively few businesses. The chicken eggshell is 95-97%  calcium carbonate  crystals, which are stabilized by a protein matrix. Without the protein, the crystal structure would be too brittle to keep its form and the organic matrix is thought to have a role in deposition of calcium during the mineralization process. Role of extracellular matrix molecules in shell formation and structure (Arias, and Fernandez, 2006) have been done over the years, and as some have both failed and succeeded, we also hope to succeed in this study to help lessen pollution. 1 An imbalance in the natural functioning of the ecosystem is due to the chelation potential of metal in aquatic bodies. We will write a custom essay sample on Activated Chicken Eggshells as Novel or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The most important feature is that distinguishing heavy metals from other pollutants are known for their non-biodegradability. Research on eggshell structure and quality: an historical overview   (Hunton, 2005). The commonly used procedures for removing metal ions from effluents include chemical precipitation, lime coagulation, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and solvent extraction, respectively. These techniques apart from being economically expensive have disadvantages like incomplete removal, high reagent and energy requirements, and generation of toxic sludge or other waste products that require disposal. Efficient and environmentally friendly methods are thus, needed to be developed to reduce heavy metal content. Hence, the study is focused on activated chicken eggshell extract as energy sufficient and a cost efficient process for the removal of zinc ion in aqueous solution. Based on the above review of related, there is a need to conduct the study about activated chicken eggshells as novel chelating agent for zinc ions in aqueous solution, because it has still not been tested as a chelate for heavy metals, especially zinc ion. Objectives of the Study The study aimed to find out if activated chicken eggshells have chelation potential for the removal of zinc ions from aqueous solution. Specifically, the study 1. determined the effect of different doses of activated chicken eggshell extract on the concentration level of zinc ion from aqueous solution after chelation as to exposure time. 2. determined the removal efficiency by zinc ion by activated chicken eggshells from aqueous solution as to exposure time. 3. found out the zinc ion accumulation in activated eggshells from fixed concentrate of zinc ion as to exposure time. 4. determined the amount of zinc ion remained in the residual solution after twelve(12) hours exposure time. Hypothesis of the Study The following hypotheses were put forward: 1. There is no significant difference on the effect of different doses of activated chicken eggshells on the concentration level of zinc ion from aqueous solution after biosorption as to exposure time. 2. There is no significant difference o n the removal efficiency of zinc ion by activated chicken eggshells from aqueous solution as to exposure time. 3. There is no significant difference on the zinc ion accumulation in activated chicken eggshells from fixed concentration of zinc ion as to exposure time. 4. There is no significant difference on the amount of zinc ion remained in the residual solution after twelve (12) hours exposure time Scope and Limitations of the Study This study focused only on activated chicken eggshells as novel chelate for the removal of zinc ions from aqueous solution. It will be conducted at the Physics/Chemistry Laboratory of Antique National School, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique from April 3, 2012 to June 3, 2012. The variables evaluated will be the effect of different doses of activated chicken eggshells at fixed concentration of zinc ion after chelation; removal efficiency of zinc ion by activated chicken eggshells at different concentration level and exposure time; zinc ion accumulation, and zinc ion remaining in the residual solution after twelve(12) hours exposure time. The experiment will use 5 tre atments and 3 replicates. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) will be used as a statistical tool to identify the significant differences among treatments measured and their interactions at 0. 01 and 0. 5 levels of significance. Significance of the Study The results of the study will be a great help to be a significant solution to heavy metal disposal problems in different bodies of water, specifically the industrial areas. This would enhance considerable interest in developing cost effective and environment-friendly innovative technology that would help in the chelation of soil and waste water polluted with toxic trace elements since this is an indigenous material thus, a convenient way of minimizing environmental hazards in the country caused by heavy metals as pollutants. Review of Related Literature 4 Eggshells have the ability to become a chelate for the removal of some metals such as zinc ions in aqueous solution. The outer covering of an egg, that is the egg shell, is composed of 93%  Calcium Carbonate. In addition to the calcium, it contains about 1% nitrogen, about a ? %phosphoric acid, and other  trace elements  that make them a practical fertilizer. The removal of lead by crab shell extract was found to be pH dependent, with optium sorption occurring at pH6. The process of lead biosorption was rapid with an initial concentration of 500mg/L. Also, a possibility of desorption and subsequent reuse of crab shell extract was attempted using 0. 1M HCI as aelutant. It exhibited more than 99% elution efficiency. Surface area and contact time also played an important role for the adsorption of heavy metals in prepared chitosan. Biosorption with acid washed crab shells (AWCS) is very sensitive with a solution to pH. Change of solution pH not only affected the charged functional groups non AWCS but also on the specification of the element in solution (Gray, 2005). Biosorption capacities of crab shell for lead was studied at different particle sizes, biosorbent dosages, and initial metal concentrations on pH values in batch mode. The data obtained at different initial metal concentrations which indicate that the biosorption rate was quick, and that most of the process was completed within two (2) hours, followed by slow attainment of equilibrium (Menotti, 2005). The removal efficiency of lead with crab shell Portunussp. depends on pH value. Biosorption of chitin and chitosan showed different results. It showed that both chitin and chitosan absorb with the best capacity at pH 4. . Chitosan has higher sorption than chitin (Muhaemin, 2005). In recent years, biosorption by biologically originated materials in removing heavy metals have drawn more and more attention, largely due to the unique properties of these biomaterials being environmentally benign, low cost, effective at low metal concentrations and easily reusable (Rhazi et al. , 2002; De Cas tro Dantas et al. , 2001). Chitin and chitosan are natural, biodegradable and are a sort of polysaccharide polymer which serve as a major structural component of exoskeleton of crustaceans and insects (Bittelli et al. , 2001).