The adsorption of rhodamine B (RhB) using acid modified banana peels has been examined. Chemical characteristics of the adsorbents were observed in order to determine active functional groups. The major functional groups on the surface were OH, C = O, C = C and C-O-C. Interactions between operational parameters were studied using the central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM). The predictions of the model output indicated that operational factors influenced responses at a confidence level of 95% (P<0.05). The optimum conditions for adsorption were pH 2 at a 0.2 g/L dose within 60 minutes of contact time. Isotherm studies were carried out using the optimized process variables. The data revealed that RhB adsorption fitted the Langmuir isotherm equation while the reduction of COD followed the Freundlich isotherm. Kinetic experiments fitted the pseudo second order model for RhB removal and COD reduction. The adsorption mechanism was not the only rate controlling step. Diffusion through the boundary layer described the pattern of adsorption.

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Presently, 50-60 m 3 of water needed to produce a ton of paper and around 240-250 chemicals have been identified in effluents, which are produced at different stages of paper making in pulp and paper industry. The pulp and paper industry is typically associated with pollution problems related to high BOD, COD, toxicity, AOX, color, suspended solids, lignin and its derivatives and chlorinated compounds. Although numerous studies have looked ways by various researchers to remove COD, BOD, color etc. of pulp and paper effluents, the problem still persists. Number of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes has been implicated to degrade the xenobiotic compounds present in pulp and paper mill effluent. This article review the origins and effects of major pollutants present in pulp and paper mill effluents and the progress made in their reduction through fungi, bacteria, algae and enzymes as well as further scope is also discussed.