Microcrystalline Cellulose: A Sustainable Alternative to Combat Heavy Metal Pollution in Soil

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is a natural biopolymer derived from partially depolymerized and purified cellulose, produced by treating alpha cellulose with a large quantity of mineral acids. MCC has a large surface area, is biodegradable, renewable, nontoxic, biocompatible, and has appreciable mechanical properties and economic value. The heavy metal intrusion from various industrial activities like dyeing industries, textiles, chemical industries, manufacturing industries, atomic power plants, etc., into the soil not only contaminates the soil but also pollutes the groundwater. The properties of the soil are adversely affected by heavy metal contamination. In this study, MCC is used to modify soil properties such that it attenuates heavy metal incursion into soil. Lead iron-oxide (Pb₂O₃) is selected as synthetic leachate for the study. The heavy metal removal was observed by adding 2% MCC by weight of dry soil at pH of 4, 6, 8, and 10. The dosage of MCC was selected based on its capacity to enhance the geotechnical properties of the soil. The contact time varied between 0 and 8 h. The investigation showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of 2% MCC at a pH of 10 is 48.46 mg/L while that of soil was 24.13 mg/L. The adsorption increased by nearly two times by treating the soil with 2% MCC. The results of the study show that MCC can be employed to control soil pollution.