Batool Salameh*(1) and Leila Habib(1)
(1). Department of Soil and Water Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.
(*corresponding author: Eng: Batool Salameh. E-Mail: batoolzaka@gmail.com).
Received: 02/02/2018 Accepted: 19/06/2018
Abstract
The objective of this study was first characterization of natural zeolite ore by the use of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and to study the ability of natural zeolite ore to bind Cadmium from aqueous solutions. Adsorption factors such as zeolite particles size, initial Cd concentration, shaking time, solution:zeolite ratio and pH were studied. Adsorption isotherms constructed then by the use of batch adsorption experiments. Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to discuss adsorption data. XRD results showed that Analcime and Phillipsite are the main zeolitic minerals, and it contained non zeolitic minerals such as quartz, calcite and smectite minerals. Natural zeolite ore had high ability to remove cadmium from water solutions, and had 28 mg.g-1 as maximum adsorption capacity. Adsorption increased with increasing initial cadmium concentration, shaking time and initial pH degree. The pH 4-6 showed best range for adsorption. Adsorption is not affected by zeolite particle size and solution:zeolite ratio. This study was conducted at Soil Chemistry Laboratory during 2016/2017 except XRD which was conducted at the Atomic Energy Commission of Syria.
Key word: Zeolite ore, X Ray Diffraction, Adsorption, Cadmium.
Full Paper in Arabic: PDF