Removal of mercury and other metals by carbonized wood powder from aqueous solutions of their salts

Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) wood powder was carbonized at varying temperatures and used as a material to remove heavy metals from their aqueous solutions. Single solutions of mercuric chloride and mixed aqueous solutions containing lead nitrate, arsenic chloride, and cadmium chloride as well as mercuric chloride (1, 5, and 10 ppm) were prepared to determine the efficiency of removing heavy metals by these materials. Wood powder and carbonized wood at 200 degrees, 600 degrees, and 1000 degrees C removed mercury within the concentration range 1-10 ppm, mercury was preferentially removed even when mixed with other heavy metals. Wood powder carbonized at 1000 degrees C achieved the best removal of heavy metals among the wood-based materials and even commercial activated carbon in both single and mixed solutions.