Résumé:
The objective of this study is the valorization of biomass from the olive sector, namely olive leaves, as an
inexpensive alternative biosorbent in the bio adsorption process for the elimination of Cadmium and Nickel
contained in synthetic solutions. Batch adsorption experiments were performed depending on different operating
parameters such as biosorbent mass, initial solute concentration, contact time, and medium temperature. The
results obtained show that the cadmium and nickel ions are adsorbed quickly enough to reach a yield greater than
96% and 68% respectively. The modeling of the adsorption isotherm showed that the Freundlich model seems to
be the most consistent with the experimental data of adsorption on the powder of olive leaves with R2 = 0.800 for
Cadmium and R2 = 0.939 for nickel. Thermodynamic parameters such as Gibbs free energy ∆G°, enthalpy ∆H°
and entropy ∆S° were also evaluated. The results of this study suggest that olive leaves could be used
advantageously for the adsorption of Cadmium and Nickel from aqueous solutions.
Keywords: Adsorption, Heavy metals, Olive leaves, Cadmium, Nickel.
