Research Article ISSN: 2456-8473 International Journal of Chemistry, Pharmacy & Technology Vol. 2, No.6, pp-240-246, 2017 THE EFFECT OF SOME PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS ON THE BIOREMEDIATION OF CADMIUM (Cd 2+ ) FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION USING ADANSONIA DIGITATA L. SEED CAKE RESIDUE AS BIOSORBENT P.R.O. Edogbanya 1 * , M.A. Adelanwa 1 , D.S. Abolude 1 and O.J. Ocholi 2 1 Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. 2 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Corresponding Author: ocholiedogbanya@gmail.com Received 12-05-17; Revised & Accepted: 15-06-17 ABSTRACT In this study, the effect of some physicochemical parameters on the bioremediation of cadmium (cd 2+ ) from aqueous solution using Adansonia digitata l. seed cake residue as biosorbent was evaluated. Dried fruits of Adansonia digitata L. were collected from the Department of Biological Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The seeds were excised, washed with sterile distilled water, sun dried, powdered and defatted using n-hexane to give Adansonia digitata cake residue (ADCR) which was used as the biosorbent. Standard stock solution (30 mg/L) of Cadmium Nitrate Cd(NO 3 ) 2 was prepared by weighing 30mg of the salt and dissolving in 1L of deionized water this was further diluted for further study. Batch experiments were carried out to study the effect of pH, initial concentration of metal salts, dosage of biosorbent, and contact time. The experimental design was Cross Randomized Design (CRD) and One way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine significant difference among means of the various parameters measured. Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was used in separating means with different significant values. The level of significance was taken at p < 0.05. The results revealed that the biosorption efficiency increased significantly (p < 0.05) as pH increased from 2 – 10, initial concentration of metal salt increased from 5 - 30 mg/L, dosage of biosorbent increased from 50 - 200mg/L, and as contact time increased from 5 - 60 min. A maximum biosorption efficiency of 74.25% was observed at a dose of 200mg/L ADCR, initial concentration of metal ion of 30mg/L, pH of 7, and contact time of 60min. From this study Adansonia digitata L. seed could be considered as a potential, eco-friendly, low cost, biosorbent for the removal of Cd 2+ from aqueous solution. Keywords: Adansonia digitata L., Bioremediation, Biosorbent, Cadmium, Seed, Water INTRODUCTION Water is an indispensable resource in the sustenance of life on earth. Its importance to man crosses various facets of life including domestic, agriculture, industrial, commercial, economic, and social to mention just a few. Its availability is tied to the overall well-being of man and sustainable development. Unfortunately man through adverse practices has contributed to the increasing pollution of water in his environment, which in turn has led to the reduction in the quantity and quality of water available to him [1].