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Adsorption of copper and zinc onto natural clay in single and binary systems

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Abstract

Calcareous and smectitic clay samples from the Coniacian–Lower Campanian system, Tunisia, were used as adsorbents for the removal of copper and zinc from aqueous solutions in single and binary systems. Calcareous clay sample was treated with acetic acid to obtain carbonate-free sample that was also used for metals removal. The adsorption of metal ions onto natural clay was tested in a batch method by mixing 1 g/L of each sample with a metal ion solution of zinc (300 μmol/L) and/or copper 600 μmol/L under the operating pH of 6, and agitation speed of 200 rpm within the equilibrium time of 60 min at 25 °C for single and binary systems. Our results showed that natural clay samples were mainly composed of silica, alumina, iron, and magnesium oxides. Adsorption data showed that the studied clay samples removed substantial amounts of heavy metals in single and mixed systems. Initial solution pH and carbonates contents enhanced the removal capacities of the studied clay samples, confirming their strong influencing effects. Thermodynamic parameters indicated an endothermic adsorption for metals removal by calcareous clay, but exothermic process for the smectitic sample. These results suggest that the Late Cretaceous clays, Tunisia, can be effectively used as natural adsorbents for the removal of toxic heavy metals in aqueous systems.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Tunisia, in cooperation with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). The help of Professor Tamao Hatta and his assistant Mrs. Seiko Nemoto, JIRCAS, Tsukuba, Mr. Koichi Shimotori, research associate in the Chemical Analysis Division, University of Tsukuba, is greatly appreciated. Thanks are also extended to Dr. Mohamed Shenashen, Dr. Emad El-Sheehy and Mr. Mohamed Khairy from NIMS for their help.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, 305-8572, Japan

    A. T. Sdiri & T. Higashi

  2. National Institute for Materials Science, 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, 305-0047, Japan

    A. T. Sdiri

  3. National Center for Materials Science, 273-8020, Borj Cédria, Soliman, Tunisia

    A. T. Sdiri & F. Jamoussi

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  1. A. T. Sdiri
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  2. T. Higashi
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  3. F. Jamoussi
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Correspondence to A. T. Sdiri.

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Sdiri, A.T., Higashi, T. & Jamoussi, F. Adsorption of copper and zinc onto natural clay in single and binary systems. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 11, 1081–1092 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-013-0305-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-013-0305-1

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