Heavy metal adsorption by clinoptilolite from aqueous solutions

Sevgi Kocaobaa, Yüksel Orhanb

a Yildiz Technical University, Faculty of Art and Science, Dept. of Chemistry, Istanbul, (TR)
b Ondokuz Mayis University, Department of Environmental Engineering, Samsun, (TR)

Abstract

The efficiency of zeolite as an adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals such as Cr (VI), Co (II), Pb (II) from aqueous solutions has been determined at different concentration, zeolite amount, stirring speed and pH of solutions. The adsorption was carried out using a batch method. All the operations were conducted at room temperature. Metal removal studies were carried out using clinoptilolite in two forms as treated and untreated form. The initial and final concentrations of heavy metals were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Adsorption of heavy metals by clinoptilolite has shown to depend significantly on the pH, zeolite dosage and initial adsorbent concentrations. Sorption data have been interpreted in terms of Langmuir and Freundlich equations. The results provided strong support for the adsorption of heavy metals into clinoptilolite and which were found to fit sufficient by the Langmuir isotherm in the most of case.