Heavy metal contamination in drinking water has become a more serious environmental problem in the last several decades as a result of its toxicity and insusceptibility to the environment. Adsorption process has been overlooked as one of the best water treatment technologies around the world. The study evaluated the adsorption capacity of chromium from contaminated aqueous solution by using Ficus carica fruit seeds. Our ongoing study on low cost effective heavy metal removal techniques in developing countries have already demonstrated. This paper presents the first reported use of a related species, the common fig, Ficus carica for chromium removal and preliminary investigation of the interaction of the metal with the Ficus carica seeds. The potential of the Ficus carica for chromium removal was tested by means of jar tests. With an initial chromium concentration of 5ppm. Ficus carica seed powder, at doses of 0.50-2.50 mg/ 50ml reduced the concentration of chromium by above 93% respectively. Ficus carica was more effective than activated carbon in removing chromium from water. Parameters such as solution pH, effect of adsorbent of mass, contact time between solution and absorbent. Isotherms, kinetics and desorption were evaluated. The results showed that the biosorbents has advantages owing to its low cost and efficiency in chromium removal from contaminated water.
