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Use of Granular Bentonite in the Removal of Mercury (II), Cadmium (II) and Lead (II) from Aqueous Solutions

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Abstract

Granular bentonite has been assessed regarding its capacity to remove Hg(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solutions. Sorption capacities, kinetics and the dependence of the sorption process on pH were determined. Fractional power, pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intra-particle diffusion equations were used to model the kinetics of metal adsorption. The pseudo-second-order model showed the best fit to experimental data. Different two-parameter sorption isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich) were used to fit the equilibrium data. Freundlich's isotherm model gave the best fit to experimental data. The selectivity of granular bentonite towards these metals is Pb(II) > Cd(II) > Hg(II). The adsorption capacities of granular bentonite towards the metals expressed in milligramme metal per gramme granular bentonite are 19.45, 13.05 and 1.7 for Pb(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II), respectively (for an initial concentration of 100 mg metal/L).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology Department, University Technology Institute of Asturias (IUTA), University of Oviedo, Gijón Campus, 33203, Gijón, Spain

    Yolanda Fernández-Nava, Elena Marañón & Leonor Castrillón

  2. National R&D Institute for Nonferrous and Rare Metals, IMNR, B.dul Biruintei 102, 077145, Pantelimon, Romania

    Mihaela Ulmanu & Ildiko Anger

Authors
  1. Yolanda Fernández-Nava
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  2. Mihaela Ulmanu
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  3. Ildiko Anger
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  4. Elena Marañón
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  5. Leonor Castrillón
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Correspondence to Yolanda Fernández-Nava.

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Fernández-Nava, Y., Ulmanu, M., Anger, I. et al. Use of Granular Bentonite in the Removal of Mercury (II), Cadmium (II) and Lead (II) from Aqueous Solutions. Water Air Soil Pollut 215, 239–249 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-010-0474-1

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