July 2014 Vol.2 No.4

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Original Research Article

The Divine Solution to the Fate of Metal Pollution from Industries

Zakiuddin Ahmed*¹, S. Arif Kazmi², Muhammad Shahid³ and Nadir Buksh¹

¹Fuel Research Center PCSIR Karachi.
²Department of Chemistry University of Karachi, 75280
³Bahria University Karachi Campus

*Corresponding Author Email: Zakiuddinahmed734@yahoo.com: Tel: 03223508653

Accepted July 25, 2014

Abstract

Humic acid is a naturally occurring polymeric, brown organic compound present mostly in lignitic coals. Nature granted hydrogen ion concentration to play an important role in chelation of this valued compound with inorganic metals and organic pollutants also. This chelation provides not only bio-availability of metal ions to plants which in result, gives soil conditioning but also conversion of active toxic metal ions to non-toxic complexes. Humic acids in the form of humate salts (Ammonium, Sodium, Potassium and Iron) can be used during treatment of wastewater, groundwater, leachates and soil. These abundant natural macromolecules can immobilize not only the metal ions but also toxic organic compounds by complexation or adsorption. These pollutants become incorporated into the humate chemical structure. This study is persuading with the objective to develop economical methods for the abatement of pollution through humic acids in the form of humate for the treatment of effluents from industries.

Keywords: Humic acid, Wastewater, Heavy metal pollution