Treatment of Synthetic Wastewater Containing Fe2+ Using Adsorption Method with Mulberry Leaves

Besides the toxic effects of heavy metals on the environment, their harmful impact on water 
resources is becoming increasingly significant. Among these, Fe²⁺, due to its high levels in the 
body, negatively affects various organs such as the heart, liver, and pancreas. Several methods, 
including chemical precipitation, bioremediation, ion exchange, membrane filtration, 
electrochemical treatment, and adsorption, are well-documented in the literature for removing 
toxic substances. This study focused on removing Fe²⁺ cations from water using adsorption. For 
this purpose, an adsorbent made from mulberry leaves—commonly recognized in the literature 
for its health benefits—was utilized. During the experiment, optimal conditions for mulberry 
leaves were identified as: 0.3 g of adsorbent, 30 mg/L Fe²⁺ concentration, 30 °C temperature, 
150 rpm agitation speed, pH 10, and 180 minutes of contact time.