Mechanism of cadmium biosorption from aqueous solutions using calcined oyster shells

The adsorption equilibrium and kinetics of cadmium (Cd) were investigated, and the mechanisms of sorption discussed. Experimental equilibrium data were fitted to a Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. Most Cd adsorption occurred during the initial hours of contact time, and a pseudo-second-order kinetic model best fitted the adsorption process. Cd sorption profiles indicated an initial, low Cd sorption region (25.25-32.36 mg/g) that was associated with calcination temperatures of up to 650 °C for 2 h, and a second region that contributed to high Cd sorption from 750 °C, with the maximum sorption capacity reaching a value of 1666.67 mg/g at 900 °C. The high Cd-removal capacity of oyster shell-derived adsorbents above 750 °C is attributed to their enhanced specific surface area, their material porosity, the bulk precipitation of Cd hydroxide and otavite on shell fragments, the formation of ettringite as a secondary precipitate, and ion exchange via Ca ions. This study highlights the effectiveness of calcined oyster shells in Cd removal from highly contaminated water and wastewater.